Russia explores making the Su-57 in India with HAL as a key partner
September 3, 2025
Russia is currently assessing the level of investment required to manufacture its advanced 5th-generation Sukhoi Su-57 fighter jet in India, defence sources have told ANI.
New Delhi has signalled a requirement for at least two to three squadrons of such aircraft, with both Russia’s Su-57 and America’s F-35 in contention.
The move aligns with India’s Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) agendas, which prioritise local production, technology transfer, and the strengthening of domestic defence infrastructure.
HAL’s role in Su-57 India production
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), which already assembles the Russian-origin Su-30MKI at its Nashik plant, is tipped to play a central role in any future Su-57 India programme under licence.
Other facilities engaged in Russian defence manufacturing may also be tapped, helping reduce costs and delivery timelines.
#SukhoiSunday
— Defence Decode® (@DefenceDecode) June 20, 2021
Su-30MKI production and assembly facility, HAL Nasik. pic.twitter.com/JXZdhOFLL7
Leveraging existing industrial capacity would not only speed up deployment but also expand India’s defence ecosystem.
Local assembly would create highly skilled jobs while exposing Indian engineers to stealth airframe design, avionics integration, and advanced fighter production – skills that feed directly into India’s own Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project, scheduled for its first flight in 2028 and induction by 2035.
Technology transfer at the core
Technology transfer remains the pivotal issue. India withdrew from the earlier FGFA (Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft) partnership with Russia nearly a decade ago, citing concerns over high costs and limited access to advanced systems. This time, New Delhi has made clear it wants not just licence-assembly rights but access to critical technologies.
Reports suggest India has asked for the Su-57E export version to integrate indigenous GaN-based AESA radars, such as Uttam and Virupaksha, in place of the Russian Byelka system. Such steps are seen as essential to ensure sovereignty over mission-critical electronics and alignment with India’s long-term combat air strategy.
Russia’s arms export agency Rosoboronexport has indicated it is willing to offer extensive technology transfer, including adapting systems for Indian components and potentially sharing sensitive source codes. If confirmed, this would mark a significant concession to India’s push for deeper defence autonomy.
Strategic and geopolitical implications
For India, local Su-57 production would strengthen strategic autonomy by reducing dependence on foreign suppliers, while boosting its capacity to support and upgrade its fleet domestically. It would also accelerate knowledge transfer for the AMCA programme and potentially pave the way for exports to regional allies.
For Russia, partnering on Su-57 India production would secure a major market at a time when Western sanctions restrict access to global customers. It would also deepen long-standing defence ties with New Delhi and reinforce Moscow’s presence in Asia’s high-end fighter segment.
If both sides can align on investment, technology transfer, and industrial participation, the Su-57 India project could mark a turning point—transforming New Delhi from a major buyer into a sovereign producer of 5th-generation aircraft.
