New Delhi: In a twist of strategic irony, India, which withdrew from the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) programme with Russia in 2018 over concerns about the Su-57’s underwhelming stealth and super cruise capabilities, is now looking at acquiring the same aircraft.
India is examining the possibility of procuring at least two squadrons of Su-57 aircraft from Russia and will evaluate a Russian proposal to manufacture them in India like the earlier MiGs and the Su-30 MKI, ThePrint has learnt.
If the proposal goes through, state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will join hands with Russia’s Sukhoi Bureau and manufacture the aircraft in India even as India pursues its own futuristic Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) which is meant for induction starting 2035.
If an actual Make in India route is taken for the Su-57, two squadrons will come in fly away condition while 3-5 could be manufactured in India by HAL at its Nashik facility, sources said. “The Sukhoi Bureau already has a working relationship with HAL. The Su57 will make it easier.”
Sources added that these plans are in the preliminary stages and separate from the MRFA programme that the IAF is pursuing, under which it has recommended the French Rafale aircraft manufactured by the Dassault Aviation.
Sources admitted that the Su-57 is not classically a 5th generation fighter aircraft but meets India’s operational requirements in the wake of Ops Sindoor.
“The only two friendly countries which have the 5th generation aircraft are the US and Russia. The US will not be offering the F-35, which is a more mature aircraft and indeed a stealth one, under the Make in India route. The Russians are (offering),” a source explained.
The FGFA withdrawal: A principled stand
Despite a government appointed committee pushing for the FGFA deal to go forward, India exited from the programme based on IAF’s recommendation.
India’s exit from the FGFA programme in 2018 was driven by a combination of strategic and practical concerns, sources explained.
They added that escalating cost was a concern. India had invested Rs 1,483 crore (approximately USD 295 million in 2018) in the FGFA’s preliminary design phase. Continuing would have required USD 35 billion for just 127 aircraft, with per-unit costs ballooning to USD 150–200 million.
The biggest concern for the IAF in 2018 was performance shortfalls. The Su-57’s AL-41F1 engines lacked true super cruise, a hallmark of fifth-generation fighters, and the promised Izdeliye 30 engine remained elusive.
Its stealth was limited to a frontal 60-degree arc, offering little advantage over fourth-generation platforms like the Su-30MKI, sources said.
Another issue was the restricted technology transfer. Russia’s reluctance to share critical technologies undermined India’s goal of co-developing a tailored fifth-generation fighter, the sources said.
They added that the final concern was Russia’s own limited commitment to the aircraft.
By 2023, Russia operated only about two dozen Su-57s, including prototypes, with minimal export success and limited combat deployment in the Russia-Ukraine conflict (2022–2025), raising doubts about the platform’s reliability.
The conflict further validated India’s decision, as Russian air force struggled to achieve air superiority, exposing the Su-57’s operational limitations, sources said.
Operation Sindoor and the ironic reversal
The irony of India’s return to the Su-57 lies in the backdrop of Operation Sindoor in 2025, which exposed critical gaps in the IAF’s long-range strike capabilities.
It was also felt that given the lack of depth, Pakistan can be covered with long range conventional systems.
However, with regional tensions escalating, particularly amid reports of China offering its J-31 stealth fighter to Pakistan, the IAF has turned to the Su-57, not for its fifth-generation features, but for its ability to address immediate operational needs.
One of the key factors working in favour of the Su-57 is its capability to carry heavier munitions with very long range capability.
The most valued of this is the R-37 M air to air missile which has a range exceeding 300 km. This provides the IAF unparalleled beyond-visual-range (BVR) engagement capabilities, enabling it to counter threats at extreme distances. Incidentally, the IAF is looking at integrating the same missile with the Su-30 MKI during the upgrade.
Right now, sources said, the Su-30 MKI has emerged as an aerial artillery with its long range BrahMos missile.
Another important missile that the Su-57 has is the Kinzhal, a hypersonic air-launched ballistic missile which enhances India’s ability to strike high-value targets with precision and speed.
The Su57, even with limited stealth is a long-range strike platform and its large weapons bay and extended range makes it ideal for deep-strike missions, filling a critical gap in the IAF’s arsenal.
The Su-57 will augment the Rafale and Su-30MKI fleets, focusing on long-range strike missions rather than competing with stealth-focused fighters.
Sources explained that the Su-57 acquisition is a stopgap measure and cannot be a long-term solution.
“To secure its airpower dominance, India as a country must accelerate AMCA Development with increased investment and streamlined processes which are critical to bringing the AMCA online before 2035,” a source said. The source added that India should also explore sixth-generation partnerships: “Collaborations with global partners on next-generation fighter programmes can help India leapfrog technological gaps and reduce reliance on stopgap solutions.”
(Edited by Viny Mishra)
Also read: Chinese J-20 isn’t just a fighter jet—it’s a signal to US, Japan and India
The current Su57 is being manufactured with AL51 engines. The older AL41 also enabled supercruise albeit with diminished load capabilities. The knowledge of AL51 will also enhance the knowledge of Indian scientists and Engineers.