Why Modi govt may reject F-35A, Su-57E offers from US & Russia? India may opt for…
India’s Defence Secretary RK Singh indicated that India is seriously considering the option of purchasing fifth generation fighter aircraft to meet short-term needs. He said that such purchases from ‘friendly countries’ are being seen as a strategic option. This statement of the Defence Secretary comes at a time when Russian President Vladimir Putin is about to visit India. India is also building its own indigenous AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft) fifth generation fighter aircraft, but it will take at least 8 to 10 years for it to be built and inducted into the Indian Air Force.
What has US offered to India?
Meanwhile, US has offered F-35 and Russia has offered SU-57 fifth generation fighter aircraft to India. It has not been disclosed yet whether India is currently eyeing the Russian Su-57 or the American F-35 . Moscow considers the SU-57 stealth fighter jet to be one of the most advanced fighter jets in the world. The Su-57 is a twin-engine multi-role stealth jet, equipped with supersonic speed, advanced avionics and electronic warfare capabilities. India has previously shown interest in this jet, but the deal could not move forward due to some technical and partnership disputes.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is going to visit Delhi in September this year to attend the ‘India-Russia Summit’ held every year. Many defense experts believe that until the AMCA is ready to fly, an interim solution is urgently needed to balance the growing airpower of China and Pakistan.
What Su-57 can give India?
Platforms like Su-57 can give India this interim edge, especially if Russia shows flexibility on its transfer of technology or ‘Make in India’ provisions. Russia has offered to transfer the technology of the SU-57 fighter aircraft to India as well as hand over the source code. Russia has also offered India that if India buys SU-57, it will provide technological help in India’s AMCA program.
Why is fifth-generation fighter aircraft important?
According to defense experts, choosing a fifth-generation fighter aircraft for countries like India has now become a question of not just technology but also strategy and geopolitics. In such a situation, India has only Russia’s SU-57 and US F-35 Lightning II as the most prominent options. SU-57 is Russia’s twin-engine stealth fighter known for supersonic speed, supermaneuverability and long-range missile attack capability. It has superior dogfighting capabilities and can play multi-roles, from air dominance to ground attack. On the other hand, F-35 is US single-engine stealth fighter known for network-centric warfare, sensor fusion and electronic warfare.
Its stealth capabilities are considered to be more than SU-57, but its mobility is slightly limited. In terms of geo-politics, access to F-35 is limited only to close US allies, while Russia offers SU-57 on more open terms. So the question for India is whether it will lean towards the West for technological superiority or towards Russia for strategic independence?
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