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SOURCE: AFI

The Russian state-owned aerospace and defense conglomerate, United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), has confirmed the participation of the fifth-generation Sukhoi Su-57 fighter jet at the upcoming Aero India 2025 airshow in Bengaluru next month. This announcement reignites speculation about India’s potential renewed interest in the Su-57, following the country’s exit from the joint Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) program with Russia back in 2018.

After India withdrew from the FGFA program citing delays and a lack of sufficient expertise, Russia continued the project alone, shouldering the financial burden. The Su-57 made its operational debut in 2020, joining an exclusive club of nations with fifth-generation fighters, alongside the United States and China. To date, approximately 27 Su-57s have been inducted into Russian service, each equipped with advanced weaponry like the hypersonic Vympel R-37 missile.

The Su-57’s appearance at Aero India comes at a time when India is grappling with significant delays in its own indigenous fighter jet projects, notably the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). With an aging fleet, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is under pressure to modernize. The presence of China’s Chengdu J-20 along the Indian border, and Pakistan’s potential acquisition of the new Chinese J-35 jets, alongside the development of Turkey’s KAAN fighter, pose strategic security concerns for India. The Su-57 could serve as a potent countermeasure, enhancing the IAF’s multirole capabilities and acting as a strategic deterrent in the region while also strengthening India-Russia defense relations.

However, the path to acquiring the Su-57 is fraught with complexities:

  • Cost: The financial investment required for procurement, operation, and maintenance of the Su-57 is considerable.
  • Combat Experience: The jet’s combat performance, particularly in the ongoing Ukraine conflict, has been mixed, leading to questions about its effectiveness in real-world scenarios.
  • CAATSA Sanctions: The potential acquisition of the Su-57 could trigger sanctions under the US’s Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), complicating India’s diplomatic relations, especially with NATO countries.
  • NATO Relations: India’s defense engagements with Russia could strain its relations with NATO allies, given the current geopolitical climate.