India Rejects Russia's Su-57E Fighter Jet Offer
India’s defence secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh announced that New Delhi will not purchase Russia’s fifth‑generation Su‑57E fighter jets. The government will instead concentrate on modernising its existing Su‑30MKI fleet, which is produced locally under licence, and on advancing the indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme. India has also signed a contract for 12 additional Su‑30MKI aircraft worth roughly 135 billion rupees (about $1.42 billion).
The decision follows the collapse of the earlier FGFA joint‑development project, which was abandoned in 2018 over concerns about stealth performance, electronic‑warfare systems and the level of technology transfer. Russia’s Rosoboronexport has claimed there is “huge interest” in the Su‑57E from other countries, but Algeria remains the only publicly identified export customer. No further contracts have been confirmed.
By rejecting the Su‑57E, India aims to reduce reliance on foreign equipment, boost its domestic defence industry and allocate resources to the AMCA, slated to produce its first prototype by 2027 and enter service in the early 2030s.
Entities: Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) · Hindustan Aeronautics Limited · India · Rajesh Kumar Singh · Russia · Su-57E · Su‑30MKI · Su‑57E
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 5 SOURCES] India decided not to purchase Russia's Su‑57E fighter jets. (defence secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh)
- [● 4 SOURCES] India is developing the indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme. (Indian defence ministry)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Russia offered India license production and technology transfer for the Su‑57E. (Russian offer statements)
- [● 4 SOURCES] India will focus on upgrading its Su‑30MKI fleet. (Indian defence ministry)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Russia's Rosoboronexport claims there is broad interest in the Su‑57E but no other contracts have been confirmed. (Rosoboronexport statements)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Algeria is the only publicly known customer for the Su‑57E. (Russian defence export statements)
- [● 3 SOURCES] The earlier FGFA joint project between India and Russia was abandoned in 2018 over concerns about stealth, electronic warfare, and technology transfer. (Indian defence officials)
- [● 3 SOURCES] India signed a contract for 12 additional Su‑30MKI aircraft worth about 135 billion rupees ($1.42 billion). (Indian defence ministry)