India may accept Russia's Su-57 jet deal ahead of Putin's visit: Report
By : Krishna Mishra
India is weighing a Russian proposal to supply and jointly manufacture Sukhoi Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jets, as part of efforts to bolster its air combat capabilities. The Defence Ministry is in preliminary discussions with multiple global partners, with officials confirming that acquiring fifth-gen jets is being considered as a stop-gap solution while India continues to develop its own Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), expected to be operational in a decade.
Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh told CNBC-TV18 that conversations with international partners — including Russia and the US — are ongoing, but no decisions have been finalized. Both nations have expressed interest in providing fifth-generation fighters to India.
According to a Firstpost report, the Russian proposal includes significant technology transfer and aligns with the government’s Make in India vision. The offer reportedly goes beyond current aircraft like the Su-30MKI, and extends to the joint development of more advanced platforms, potentially accelerating India’s path to self-reliance in aerospace defence.
The renewed interest in fifth-gen fighters also comes amid reports that Pakistan is set to induct Chinese stealth jets, raising the strategic stakes in the region.