Russia and India are engaged in consultations regarding the establishment of production facilities for Russia’s fifth-generation Su-57E stealth fighter jets on Indian soil, according to the Russian Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC).

The announcement was made to Sputnik on Saturday, shortly after the inaugural International Security Forum held in the Moscow Region. The FSMTC confirmed that Russia is actively proposing to set up Su-57E aircraft manufacturing in India, with technical discussions currently underway with Indian partners.

This potential collaboration builds upon more than 60 years of military-technical cooperation between the two nations, during which India has successfully mastered the licensed production of numerous Soviet and Russian-designed defence systems.

The FSMTC highlighted that India currently produces the Su-30MKI multi-role fighter aircraft under license, along with T-90S main battle tanks, AK-203 assault rifles, AK-630 artillery guns, and a broad spectrum of ammunition types. The agency stated that the Indian side has expressed clear interest in continuing and expanding this long-standing defence cooperation.

The Su-57, developed by Russian aircraft manufacturer Sukhoi, represents Russia’s first true fifth-generation multi-role fighter jet. It is engineered to engage all types of air, ground, and surface targets with exceptional capability.

The aircraft boasts supersonic cruising speed without requiring afterburners, internal weapons bays that preserve its low observable signature, radar-absorbing coating to reduce detection, and cutting-edge onboard avionics and sensor systems. These features collectively provide the Su-57 with advanced stealth characteristics, superior manoeuvrability, and network-centric warfare capabilities.

The export variant, designated Su-57E, made its historic first public appearance at the Dubai Air Show in November 2025. During this debut, the aircraft performed live flight demonstrations and revealed its internal weapons bay publicly for the first time.

The display showcased anti-radiation missile mock-ups designed for stealth missions, including the Kh-58UShK supersonic anti-radiation missile with approximately 150-mile range, as well as R-74M2 short-range air-to-air missiles deployed from stealthy quick-launch compartments. This inaugural display marked a significant strategic push by Moscow to attract foreign buyers in the Gulf region and beyond.

Reports indicate that the proposed licensed production of Su-57E fighters in India would likely utilise facilities currently employed for manufacturing the Su-30MKI, particularly Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) Nashik plant.

This facility has already produced over 220 Su-30MKI jets under license and possesses the necessary infrastructure and technical expertise to support production of advanced stealth aircraft. Russian officials have also proposed maximising the use of Indian industry and Indian systems in the aircraft, suggesting substantial technology transfer and localisation of components.

In addition to long-term local production plans, Russia has reportedly offered to supply 20 to 30 Su-57E aircraft directly off the shelf to accelerate the Indian Air Force’s fifth-generation fighter capability. Full integration of Indian systems and components into the production line is expected to take approximately three to four years.

This dual approach would allow India to rapidly field advanced stealth fighters while simultaneously developing indigenous manufacturing capacity for future maintenance, upgrades, and potential exports.

The Su-57 program first achieved flight in 2010 and entered operational service with the Russian Aerospace Forces in December 2020. Around 20 aircraft are currently believed to be operational, with plans to reach 76 units by 2028.

The fighter has undergone limited operational evaluation in Syria and has been reportedly used for long-range missile strikes launched from Russian airspace. Export interest remains strong, with Algeria likely to be the first Su-57E customer, while India and other non-aligned nations continue to be potential buyers.

Earlier, Alexander Mikheev, CEO of Russia’s state arms exporter Rosoboronexport, announced that Moscow was offering New Delhi not only the supply of the latest fifth-generation Su-57E fighter jets but also the organisation of their production in India.

Additionally, Russia has offered assistance in developing India’s indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) stealth fighter programme. This comprehensive offer reflects Moscow’s strategic intent to deepen defence ties with India while supporting its “Make in India” initiative in the defence sector.

Make-In-India Boost

The local production of the Russian Su-57E stealth fighter under the "Make in India" and "Atmanirbhar Bharat" initiatives could accelerate India’s transition to a self-reliant defence hub, supporting the nation's target of reaching a ₹3 lakh crore defence production turnover by 2029.

By leveraging HAL’s Nashik plant—which already possesses advanced assembly capabilities from manufacturing over 220 Su-30MKI fighters—India could rapidly scale up fifth-generation aircraft production.

This three-to-four-year integration process would provide extensive technology transfer in critical areas like radar-absorbing materials, internal weapons bays, super cruising, and advanced avionics. These technical spill overs would directly accelerate India's indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program, while simultaneously boosting wider aerospace industries, commercial aviation, drone manufacturing, and advanced materials development.

Additionally, the program would heavily expand private sector participation through government initiatives like iDEX and Aditi, fostering innovation, job creation, and economic growth across engineering, electronics, and software sectors.

Strategic Importance

Strategically, domestic production ensures India's operational autonomy and fleet sustainability by eliminating foreign dependence for spare parts and software updates, which is essential given rising regional tensions.

Transitioning from a net defence importer (with current domestic manufacturing at 65% and imports at 30–35% as of November 2025) to a high-tech manufacturer could also establish India as a regional export and maintenance hub for friendly nations. This echoes the domestic success and skill transfer seen with previous programs like the TEJAS, Dhanush, and ATAGS.

However, achieving genuine self-reliance requires overcoming key challenges. Success will depend on carefully managing technology transfer agreements, strict quality control, and integration timelines. 

Furthermore, the government will need to balance imported Russian systems with indigenous components to prevent the project from becoming a mere assembly line, while enacting tax and policy reforms to provide better incentives for local private companies.

In conclusion, The ongoing consultations represent a significant potential milestone in Indo-Russian defence cooperation, particularly given India’s growing emphasis on indigenous defence manufacturing and technological self-reliance.

Successful implementation of Su-57E production in India would not only enhance the Indian Air Force’s operational capabilities but also strengthen India’s position as a regional defence manufacturing hub.

The partnership would further demonstrate the enduring strategic trust and technical compatibility that has characterised Indo-Russian military-technical relations for over six decades.

IDN (With Agency Inputs)