Vladimir Putin's India Visit: A deal on the Russian SU-57 stealth fighter jet is likely to be finalized during Vladimir Putin's visit to India. India could purchase one or two squadrons of the Su-57.

Defense deal may be signed during Vladimir Putin's visit to India.

Ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to India, speculation about a defense deal between the two countries has intensified. Could India make a major decision regarding the Russian Su-57 stealth fighter jet? During the recently concluded Dubai Air Show (November 16-21), Russia's Rosoboron Export company announced that it was ready to manufacture the Su-57 in India under the Make in India initiative.

This is the second time in the past year that a Russian company has made a proposal to India regarding the Su-57. Earlier this year, during the Aero India exhibition held in Bengaluru, Rosoboronexport offered to transfer the technology of its fifth-generation fighter aircraft (Su-57) to India. Since then, India has been under intense consideration regarding the purchase of the Su-57. Consideration is being given to whether to purchase one or two squadrons of Su-57s or to manufacture them in large numbers in India.

When will fifth-generation fighter jets be manufactured in India?

India's indigenous stealth fighter jet, the AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft), is still a full decade away from completion. The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), which designed the AMCA, claims that the indigenous fifth-generation fighter jet will be ready by 2035-36. Therefore, India may have to rely on a foreign stealth fighter to fill the decade-long gap.

China-Pakistan will get a befitting reply.

While the Indian Air Force's fighter jet squadrons are steadily decreasing, China has already deployed two fifth-generation fighter jets. About a year ago, China developed the J-35 stealth fighter jet, following the J-20. China is also preparing to supply these J-35 fighter jets to Pakistan.  

Military experts believe that India should make a deal for either Russia's Su-57 or America's F-35 because US President Donald Trump has also offered to sell his stealth fighter jet F-35 to India.

Both the Su-57 and F-35 are highly dangerous and lethal fifth-generation fighter aircraft. The Su-57 was manufactured by Russia in 2024. The F-35 has been in service with the US Air Force for the past decade and is used by air forces in many countries, but a series of crashes in recent months has embroiled the F-35 in controversy.

Both the Su-57 and F-35 have demonstrated their prowess on the battlefield. Russia used the Su-57 to attack Ukraine, while the US and Israel have successfully deployed the F-35 fighter jet in attacks against Iran. The F-35 is a single-engine fighter aircraft, while the Su-57 is a twin-engine aircraft.