Russia Offers Sukhoi Su-57 Stealth Fighter Jet Production To India

JAKARTA - Russia offers production of the fifth-generation stealth fighter jet Sukhoi Su-57 for the Indian Air Force. The offer comes amid Moscow's efforts to improve defense relations with New Delhi.

Russia has been a major arms supplier to India for decades, the world's largest arms importer, and its fighter jets are part of India's military fleet.

But Moscow's ability in recent years to export has declined due to the war in Ukraine, prompting New Delhi to turn west.

A spokesman for Russia's state arms exporter Rosoboronexport told reporters the fighter jet could start production earlier this year if the Indian government accepts its offer.

India's Ministry of Defense did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Russian industry source and an Indian official said informal offers had been made by Russia in talks with Indian government officials and state-owned company Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HIAE.NS).

This move comes as the Indian Air Force wants to shore up its combat squadron, which has been reduced to 31 from target 42, at a time when its Chinese rival is expanding its own air force.

The manufacture of aircraft in India, with full technology transfers, will ensure production and maintenance will not be affected by Western sanctions against Russia, a Rosoboronexport spokesperson said.

He said the jet could be produced with upgrades to India's Sukhoi Su-30 aircraft production line, of which 260 are in India's Air Force fleet.

Both Su-57 and rival Lockheed Martin (LMT.N), opened a new F-35 Lightning II tab, a US fifth-generation stealth fighter jet, on display at the Aero India exhibition.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government stressed the need to make India a global manufacturing hub and increase domestic defense production to achieve independence.

Despite being touted as Russia's fifth-generation fighter aircraft rivaling similar fighter aircraft in the US, the Su-57 experienced delays in development and accidents in 2019.

According to the manufacturer, the production of the aircraft series will begin in 2022.

Last year, Russia flew the SU-57 to Zhuhai in China for its first overseas air show, as a real message to the West about China-Russia cooperation.