https://sputniknews.in/20250821/su-57-local-production-to-speed-up-indias-fighter-jet-induction---experts-9641210.html
Su-57 Local Production to Speed Up India’s Fighter Jet Induction - Experts
Su-57 Local Production to Speed Up India’s Fighter Jet Induction - Experts
Sputnik India
India's sky guarding force is currently operating with 31 squadrons against the sanctioned strength of 42 needed to guard its airspace. 21.08.2025, Sputnik India
2025-08-21T20:30+0530
2025-08-21T20:30+0530
2025-08-21T20:30+0530
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With the Indian Air Force's (IAF) squadron strength set to deplete further as two more squadrons of MiG-21 Bison are set to retire in the next two months, there appears to be an urgent need for the country to speed up its fighter jet induction timelines.Amid the urgency, the Russian Su-57 could cut timelines as well as provide the IAF with a fifth-generation fighter option. It is currently the only fifth-generation fighter offered with the potential for local production and deep technology transfer.What makes it particularly interesting for India is its ability to serve as a stopgap capability before its own Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) is ready in the early 2030s.Secondly, the Russian proposal includes greater integration freedom for Indian weapons and electronic warfare systems, which aligns with India's doctrine and reduces dependence on imported munitions. It also builds upon our experience with the Su-30MKI fleet, where we successfully integrated BrahMos, Astra, and other indigenous systems, he added.Thirdly, the Su-57 could act as a technology bridge, offering our engineers and aerospace industry valuable experience in stealth coatings, composites, and radar-evading maintenance practices, which are essential stepping stones for the AMCA project, the observer highlighted.While the Su-57 is not a silver bullet, it could well be the fastest and most viable route for India to plug its fifth-generation capability gap—provided it is treated as a well-negotiated bridge solution rather than a permanent dependency. It strengthens India's posture while buying time for its indigenous programs to mature, he underlined.Moreover, when it comes to pure kinematic performance, the Su-57 is clearly in a different league than the F-35. Its service ceiling is around 66,000 feet, which is far higher than the F-35's 50,000 feet. Its genuine top speed is Mach 2.0+, as opposed to Mach 1.6 for the Lightning II. The Su-57 has significantly more flexibility in high-speed interception, climb rate, and situational location during aerial encounters, thanks to its height and speed advantage, the defence commentator stressed.
https://sputniknews.in/20250218/india-mulls-localisation-of-su-57-production-official-8783497.html
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Su-57 Local Production to Speed Up India’s Fighter Jet Induction - Experts
India's sky guarding force is currently operating with 31 squadrons against the sanctioned strength of 42 needed to guard its airspace.
With the Indian Air Force's (IAF) squadron strength set to deplete further as two more squadrons of MiG-21 Bison are set to retire in the next two months, there appears to be an urgent need for the country to speed up its fighter jet induction timelines.
"More and more technologies are being added to jets now, so the earlier concept of upgrading jets every ten years is now down to five years," former IAF chief R. K. S. Bhadauria told a media publication earlier this week.
Amid the urgency, the Russian Su-57 could cut timelines as well as provide the IAF with a fifth-generation fighter option. It is currently the only fifth-generation fighter offered with the potential for local production and deep technology transfer.
What makes it particularly interesting for India is its ability to serve as a stopgap capability before its own
Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) is
ready in the early 2030s.
"Firstly, the Su-57 can provide the IAF with a genuine low-observable platform much faster than any other option. A two-phase approach—importing a limited number of aircraft directly from Russia for initial operations and setting up a local assembly line for subsequent batches—could help India establish a stealth capability within a realistic timeframe. This is crucial not only to counter any aerial danger, but also to ensure we maintain a technological edge over adversaries," Harpreet Sidhu, an aerospace analyst with the market intelligence firm GlobalData Plc told Sputnik India.
Secondly, the Russian proposal includes greater integration freedom for Indian weapons and electronic warfare systems, which aligns with India's doctrine and reduces dependence on imported munitions. It also builds upon our experience with the
Su-30MKI fleet, where we successfully integrated
BrahMos, Astra, and
other indigenous systems, he added.
Thirdly, the Su-57 could act as a technology bridge, offering our engineers and aerospace industry valuable experience in stealth coatings, composites, and radar-evading maintenance practices, which are essential stepping stones for the AMCA project, the observer highlighted.
"However, the Su-57 program is still maturing, and its production rate in Russia has been limited due to sanctions and supply chain constraints. It must negotiate hard delivery timelines, enforce technology transfer commitments, and ensure that key spares and mission systems are localized to avoid long-term vulnerability," Sidhu stated.
While the Su-57 is not a silver bullet, it could well be the fastest and most viable route for India to plug its fifth-generation capability gap—provided it is treated as a well-negotiated bridge solution rather than a permanent dependency. It strengthens India's posture while buying time for its indigenous
programs to mature, he underlined.
Moreover, when it comes to pure kinematic performance, the Su-57 is clearly in a different league than the F-35. Its service ceiling is around 66,000 feet, which is far higher than the F-35's 50,000 feet. Its genuine top speed is Mach 2.0+, as opposed to Mach 1.6 for the Lightning II. The Su-57 has significantly more flexibility in high-speed interception, climb rate, and situational location during aerial encounters, thanks to its height and speed advantage, the defence commentator stressed.
"This kinematic edge reflects a deliberate trade-off in design philosophy: while the F-35 prioritizes all-aspect stealth and networked sensor fusion, the Su-57 leans more into high-agility performance and combat envelope. With thrust-vectoring control surfaces, dual powerful engines, and the ability to super cruise, the Su-57 delivers superior manoeuvrability and reach—especially valuable for operators like India who seek a flexible platform capable of both air dominance and strike roles. For India, this means a fighter that not only brings stealth but also space and speed—critical in regional air combat scenarios," Sidhu concluded.
