Indian Air Force (IAF) is currently searching for 5th generation fighter aircraft. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has made a big proposal to India. He has said that Russia is ready to give its state-of-the-art Su-57 stealth fighter jet to India and build it together. Russia has also said that it is ready to share the necessary technology in this project.
This proposal has come at a time when IAF does not have any 5th generation fighter aircraft. On the other hand, there are reports that Pakistan may soon acquire China’s J-35AE stealth fighter jet. India is building the 5th generation indigenous fighter aircraft AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft). But it is expected to join the Air Force by 2035. Therefore, to meet the needs till then, India is also considering other options.
Talk of increasing cooperation with India
Speaking to international media on Thursday, Putin said, ‘We are ready to give this aircraft to India. We can also work together in its development and production. There is no limit to cooperation with India in the defense sector. The same thing applies to air defense system also. Putin reminded that Russia had earlier also offered India to become a partner in this project. At that time this plan was called FGFA (Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft). But in 2018, India withdrew from this project.
Putin reveals that Russia offered Su-57 to India as a joint project
We are ready to supply India with this aircraft, to keep developing it. We dont have any issues or limitations. Same goes for air defense systems. pic.twitter.com/tiZr13LJFE
— Sputnik India (@Sputnik_India) June 4, 2026
Putin said, ‘We had proposed to India to jointly develop this technology. But India said that first Russia should prepare this aircraft, then it will decide further. It could have been a joint project of both the countries, but we developed it alone. Even now we are ready to work with India.
Specialty of Su-57 aircraft?
Su-57 is considered to be Russia’s most modern fighter aircraft. It has stealth technology, which means it is not easily visible on enemy radar. Apart from this, it has modern avionics, high speed and the ability to attack targets in air, land and sea.
Why did India distance itself from the project?
India had distanced itself from the project in 2018 because the Indian Air Force felt that the Su-57 did not meet all its requirements. At that time questions were raised about the stealth capability of the aircraft. There were differences between the two countries regarding technology transfer also. Now it is believed that Russia is trying to address these concerns. For this reason, Putin has reiterated the point of sharing technology and joint production.
India also has the option of F-35
Last year, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to America, President Donald Trump had offered F-35 to India. Stealth technology and the ability to remain unnoticed by the enemy will be very important in future air wars. In such a situation, after Russia’s new proposal, the discussion has intensified whether India will choose Russian Su-57 instead of American F-35, or will move forward on some other solution till the completion of its AMCA project.
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