SOURCE: AFI
Russia appears to be making renewed efforts to woo India back into its fold regarding 5th-generation fighter jets. This comes after India recently greenlit its own AMCA program, raising questions about Russia’s motivations.
According to popular YouTube channel Bharat Tak, Russia is eager to showcase its Su-57 fighter jet in India. The purpose of this demonstration remains unclear. It’s uncertain whether this is at India’s request or a unilateral attempt by Russia to revive a struggling program.
Russia’s renewed interest comes after India’s withdrawal from the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) program. This joint project aimed to develop a customized Su-57 variant for the Indian Air Force (IAF). However, the collaboration fell apart due to various disagreements.
India recently cleared its indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program, signifying its commitment to developing its own 5th-generation fighter jet. This self-reliance approach seems to contradict Russia’s efforts to rekindle the Su-57 partnership.
Russia’s prior attempt to attract India with the single-engine Su-75 also met with a lukewarm response from the IAF. This further highlights India’s potential disinterest in acquiring Russian 5th-generation fighter jets.
The underlying motives behind Russia’s renewed push for the Su-57 remain unclear. The IAF’s focus on the AMCA program suggests a preference for domestic solutions. Whether Russia can entice India back into a joint 5th-generation fighter jet project remains to be seen.