Russia to Offer Government-to-Government Deal for Su-57E to India

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.