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SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

On the sidelines of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s anticipated visit to India in early 2025, Russia plans to propose a Government-to-Government (G2G) deal to sell its fifth-generation Su-57E fighter jets to India. This move is seen as part of Russia’s renewed efforts to strengthen defence ties with India after the latter exited the Fifth-Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) program, which aimed to develop a twin-seat variant of the Su-57 tailored for the Indian Air Force (IAF).

Russia’s state officials, in conversations with idrw.org, have indicated that Moscow is ready to offer 60-70 Su-57E jets to India. The proposal aims to address the IAF’s combat squadron depletion, offering a swift boost to India’s air power. The Su-57E is an export variant of the Su-57, a fifth-generation multi-role fighter designed for air superiority and strike missions with stealth, super maneuverability, and advanced avionics.

Russia is likely to price the Su-57E significantly lower than the French Dassault Rafale, a twin-engine fighter India has already inducted into its fleet. This pricing strategy could make the Su-57E an attractive option for India’s defence budget.

The jets offered to India will come equipped with advanced AL-51F engines, which are classified as true fifth-generation engines. These engines are designed to enhance thrust-to-weight ratio, fuel efficiency, and stealth capabilities.

Russia is ramping up its Su-57 production lines, aiming to increase annual output from 15 units to 25 units in the coming years. This expanded production could enable quicker delivery schedules for any potential Indian order.

Russia has been actively lobbying for the Su-57E since India walked out of the FGFA program in 2018. The FGFA project faced criticism from India for delays, cost overruns, and concerns over whether the platform truly met fifth-generation standards. However, with the Su-57E’s evolution, Russia believes the jet now meets India’s high expectations for advanced combat aircraft.

The proposal also comes at a time when the IAF is grappling with a dwindling squadron strength, which has fallen below the desired level of 42 squadrons. Acquiring a fifth-generation fighter like the Su-57E could serve as a stop-gap measure until India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program matures.

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