Jai Siya Ram
Russia has begun an internal feasibility/investment study on manufacturing the Su-57 (5th-gen “Felon”) in India. Multiple outlets (citing defence sources/ANI) say Russian agencies are calculating the costs, sites, and scope for a Make-in-India line. This is not a signed production deal yet.
The proposal (early contours)
- Model: Local manufacturing/assembly of the Su-57 or export Su-57E, with technology transfer as part of the pitch (to be detailed in a formal proposal by Rosoboronexport).
- Indian partners/sites: HAL is repeatedly named as a likely hub (it already license-builds Su-30MKI at Nashik); other Indian plants handling Russian-origin kit may be tapped.
- IAF requirement (stop-gap): India has flagged a need for ~2–3 squadrons of 5th-gen fighters while the indigenous AMCA matures. The Su-57 and F-35 are the two options commonly mentioned.
What’s still undecided
- No inter-governmental agreement/MoU yet (no numbers, price, timelines announced). Today’s reporting reflects studies and intent, not contract signatures.
- Depth of tech transfer: Claimed/expected ToT is unquantified publicly; details (software/source-code access, radar/avionics choices, weapons integration) would drive viability. Treat grand ToT claims cautiously until official documents appear.
- Timeline & engine/radar config: Nothing official. India’s AMCA is targeting first flight ~2028 and induction around 2035, which frames how urgently an interim import/co-production would be pursued.
Why this matters
- Would be the first foreign manufacturing hub for Su-57s if it materializes, deepening India–Russia defence industrial ties and adding a stealth capability path for the IAF ahead of AMCA. It also preserves India’s supply resilience via local build lines.
