New Delhi. Russian President Vladimir Putin has made a big and open offer to India for the fifth generation stealth fighter jet Su-57. Putin said that Russia is fully ready for joint development and production of this state-of-the-art fighter aircraft and for this, no technical restrictions or limitations will be imposed on India.
This statement of Putin is considered very important at a time when India’s indigenous AMCA project is still in its initial stages. Responding to an Indian journalist’s question during a conversation with heads of global news agencies, Putin said that Russia had earlier also proposed joint development of this fifth generation fighter aircraft to India. Russian President Putin said, “We have proposed to our Indian friends the joint development of the Su-57. I think it is the best aircraft ever. But our Indian friends said – let’s see.”
India-Russia joint product
Putin also reminded that initially the project could have become a joint product of India-Russia, but later Russia developed it independently. He said that this could have been our joint product. But we developed it ourselves. Even now we are ready to work, supply and develop it further with India. There is no restriction on any kind of technology transfer here and India and Russia will develop together, no one can stop both of us.
Why was the FGFA project broken?
It is noteworthy that India and Russia started the FGFA program in 2007. Its objective was the joint development of an advanced stealth fighter based on Russia’s Su-57 platform. Although. After nearly a decade of negotiations, India had distanced itself from the project in 2018. The main concerns of India at that time were-
rising project costs
Ambiguity regarding technology transfer
Questions on aircraft’s stealth capability and engine performance
Limited scope for change to suit Indian needs
Why is this proposal important for India?
The Indian Air Force has been feeling the need for a fifth generation fighter aircraft for a long time. India’s indigenous AMCA program is still in the early stages of development and is considered unlikely to enter service before 2035.
On the other hand, China is rapidly advancing its modern fighter aircraft programs. China already operates the J-20 stealth fighter and is now working on two sixth-generation fighters—the Chengdu J-36 and the Shenyang J-50. On the other hand, Pakistan has given preliminary consent to purchase Shenyang J-35 stealth fighter with China and has confirmed the plan to purchase 40 aircraft. In such a situation, the need for modern stealth fighter in front of the Indian Air Force has increased further.
India may consider buying
Defense experts believe that if Russia meets the technical requirements of the Indian Air Force, then India can consider purchasing at least two squadrons, or about 36 Su-57 aircraft, as an interim solution.
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