Russia claims advanced talks with India on joint production of Su-57E fighter jets

A senior Russian aerospace official has claimed that Moscow and New Delhi are engaged in advanced technical discussions to explore the joint production of the fifth-generation Sukhoi Su-57E fighter jet in India. If this is finalised, it could mark a major shift in India’s combat aviation roadmap.

Russia, India in advanced talks for joint production of Su-57E fighter jet?

According to Russia’s state news agency TASS, Vadim Badekha, Chief Executive Officer of the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), told Russian reporters that negotiations have reached a mature technical stage.

“Today, we are in the advanced stage of technical negotiations on this contract. Such contracts, given our experience, determine the trajectory of our cooperation for several decades to come,” Badekha said.

However, the claim has not been publicly acknowledged by the Indian government, which has remained silent on the matter so far.

The absence of official confirmation from New Delhi has added a layer of caution to the Russian assertion, especially given India’s experience with joint fighter development programmes.

Badekha said discussions are centred on the licensed production of the Su-57 fighter in India, potentially at facilities currently used to manufacture the Su-30MKI. He emphasised that the proposal includes “maximum use of Indian industry and Indian systems,” aligning with India’s long-standing push for indigenisation under the ‘Make in India’ initiative.

“Therefore, the contract requires extensive, in-depth study. It is currently in the advanced stage of technical consultations,” he added.

The comments follow earlier remarks by Alexander Mikheev, CEO of Russia’s state arms exporter Rosoboronexport, who said Moscow is offering India not just the supply of Su-57E jets, but also local production and assistance in developing India’s indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) stealth fighter.

Such a package, if realised, would position Russia as a key partner in India’s next-generation fighter ambitions.

The Su-57 is Russia’s premier stealth fighter, designed for multi-role combat missions against air, ground and maritime targets. It is built to operate round-the-clock, in adverse weather conditions and under intense electronic warfare environments. Its low-observability features are intended to reduce vulnerability to modern air defence systems, a capability increasingly critical in contested airspace.

As reported by The Week, Russian experts have previously claimed that India has been offered the Su-57 with full technology transfer for indigenous production.

For now, the ball appears to be in New Delhi’s court. Whether India chooses to revisit a joint fifth-generation fighter partnership with Russia or doubles down exclusively on the AMCA programme could shape the Indian Air Force’s combat edge for decades to come.

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