The US would see its influence in the Middle East reduced if India and the United Arab Emirates accept Russia's proposal to jointly produce its fifth-generation Su-57 fighter jets.
According to defense expert Wing Commander Praful Bakshi (retired), if India starts manufacturing these fighters with Russia, it will be another golden step in the field of defense.
"Most of the money spent in the world is in the field of defense and in order to establish its dominance, the US is starting to assert its rights over this country by offering defense cooperation to other countries," the expert told Sputnik India.
"If countries like the UAE work together with Russia, it will make a big difference to the US, and it will also become a new model for other countries in the Middle East. They will be able to work outside the US framework," the expert added.
According to a report published by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, countries in the Middle East spend an average 3.9 percent of their GDP on defense, well above the global average of 2.2 percent.
"The US doesn't want Middle Eastern countries to work outside Washington's ambit, but the truth is that the US will now have to accept that people somewhere are going to take further steps," he said.
For its part, the Indian Air Force is in desperate need of fifth-generation aircraft, and foreign companies are keen to seize the opportunity. At Aero India earlier this year, the US displayed the F-35 and Russia the Sukhoi Su-57.
"Russia's fifth-generation Su-57 fighter is superior to the US F-22 and F-35 fighters. It has very high supercruise, supersail and supermaneuverability capabilities and is also undetectable by radar," Bakshi explained.
According to the Wing Commander, the potential joint production of the Sukhoi Su-57 will give a big boost to India's defense programs.
"The joint partnership will reduce India's defense expenditure and further enhance India's war-fighting capabilities," said Bakshi.
At present, India's annual defense expenditure is $72.6 billion.