Russia has offered to give the Su-57 stealth fighter jet to India along with ToT. (Image X @ANI)
New Delhi: Russia has made a significant offer to India regarding its fifth-generation stealth fighter jet. Russia has been a long-standing airspace partner for the Indian Air Force (iaf). Therefore, to maintain its friendship with India in stealth technology, it has proposed the advanced two-seat Su-57 stealth fighter jet.
Russia is also ready to provide the advanced Su-57 stealth fighter jet along with its entire technology also known as Transfer of Technology (ToT). This offer was made to India at the Wings India 2026 exhibition held in late January. According to a report by Defence.in, Russia is also seeking to revive the shelved Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft Partnership (FGFA) with this proposal.
- The Su-57E is the export version of the Russian fifth-generation stealth fighter jet.
- The Su-57E is a twin-engine, dual-pilot stealth fighter aircraft.
- The Su-57E is designed for complex command, control, and strike missions.
- The Su-57 is capable of multi-role, air-to-air, and companion UAV control.
- The Su-57 is a supersonic aircraft with a speed exceeding Mach 2.0, or 2,135 to 2,600 kilometers per hour.
- The Su-57 is equipped with five AESA radars and a fighter jet with a payload capacity of up to 10,000 kg.
- The advanced Su-57 is equipped with state-of-the-art optical sensors.
- The advanced Su-57 also uses artificial intelligence (AI) for combat automation.
Can the Su-57 accomodate the indigenous BrahMos and Astra missiles?
If India receives the source code, missiles like the BrahMos and Astra can also be fitted to the advanced Su-57. In 2018, India withdrew from the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft Partnership (FGFA). At that time, there was controversy over the price of the Russian stealth fighter, and Indian engineers were left with limited work. Furthermore, its stealth capabilities and engines were also under scrutiny.
Following this, India began prioritizing the indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project for the Indian Air Force. However, prototypes are expected to be completed by 2029, and production for the Indian Air Force may take until 2035. In this context, Russia has launched a new effort to address India's lack of stealth fighter jets with its advanced Su-57.
American stealth fighter jets like the F-22 and F-35 are single-seat, fifth-generation fighters. Regarding its two-seater, advanced Su-57, Russia says that in modern warfare, when manned-unmanned teaming is crucial, the two-seater stealth Su-57 is the perfect answer.
The rear-seat pilot can serve as a mission commander or a mini-Airborne Warning and Control System (Mini-AWACS), while the pilot can focus on flying the aircraft and responding to enemy missiles. According to reports, if the Russian proposal is approved, a prototype could be ready by the end of 2026 or early 2027.
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