'Completely acceptable': In a game-changing move, Russia offers full fifth-gen Su-57 tech to India before Putin's visit!

Ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to India next month, Moscow has made a significant military proposal to New Delhi that could potentially reshape the future of Indian air power.

Russia has reportedly offered India "unrestricted access" to technology for the new fifth-generation Su-57 stealth fighter jet ahead of Vladimir Putin's visit to New Delhi. The development comes even as Su-57E, the export variant, made an appearance at the Dubai Air Show and conducted flight displays.

ALSO READ | Russia ships out fifth-generation fighter Su-57 to mystery foreign client. It was pitched to India too

The Su-57E, which is the export variant of Moscow's prized fighter jet, is being marketed as an alternative to the US F-35 and Chinese J-20. Under the new proposal, Russia will first supply India with home-built Su-57s before enabling its production in India in stages, NDTV quoted the CEO of Russian government-owned defence conglomerate Rostec as saying. Moscow may even be willing to equip India with its single-engine stealth fighter aircraft Su-75 Checkmate, the report added.

ALSO READ | Can HAL make Russian fifth-generation fighter Sukhoi Su-57 in India? Here's what experts observed

 

 

What did Russia say?

 

It was at the Dubai Air Show 2025 that Rostec CEO Sergey Chemezov reportedly talked about opening the gates of Su-57 for India. The manufacturing of its engines, sensors, stealth materials, and more on Indian soil was discussed by him, who went to the extent of saying any demand from New Delhi regarding the technology of the aircraft will be "completely acceptable".

 

"India and Russia have been partners for many years. Even when India was under sanctions, we supplied the country with weapons to ensure its security... Today, we continue the same approach as in previous years, supplying India with whatever military equipment it needs and ensuring our mutual interests in developing co-operation," the Rostec CEO said.

 

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has about 50 per cent of the capacity required for the co-production of the export variant of the Russian fifth-generation fighter aircraft Sukhoi Su-57, should the two countries decide to come together for a fifth-generation fighter aircraft project, a report submitted by a delegation from Russia, comprising representatives from the Sukhoi Design Bureau, to the public sector undertaking (PSU), noted.

 

In 2000, India and Russia signed an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) for India’s licensed production of the Sukhoi Su-30MKI, allowing HAL to manufacture the fighters at its facilities.

Defence