
India’s geographical location and the possibility of war on two fronts (China and Pakistan) are such that it will always have to be alert. Under current circumstances, the Indian Air Force needs fighter jets with technically advanced and multidimensional capacity. This is the reason that India is not only working on domestic projects such as AMCA, but is also trying to get modern technology from strategic partners.

The proposed SU-57E and SU-35M can give a new dimension to this effort of India by Russia. SU-57e is a 5th-generation stealth multirol fighter jet, while SU-35M is an advanced 4.5 generation fighter aircraft.

The proposal sent to India by Russia’s state company Rostec and Sukhoi includes the export version of SU-57e, which includes stealth technology, supersonic speed and multirol operation facility.

Russia’s state company can also give source code and construction rights. With this help, India will be able to make its favorable technical improvement. It has been proposed to give immediate delivery of SU-35M, which will give immediate operational lead to the Indian Air Force.

The SU-57e fighter jet is specifically designed for stealth operation, internal weapon way and 3D thrust vectoring. It can maintain speed of MAC 1.6 without afterburner and maximum speed can go up to Mac 2 (2450 km/h).

The R-77M air-to-air missile, KH-69 cruise missile and Grom glide bomb in the SU-57e fighter jet serve as the main weapon.

Russia’s fighter jet can also be integrated with Indian missile systems such as BrahMos, Rudram and Astra. Real time communication from other aircraft and control room is also possible through its data link system.

While F-35 is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, American control over it is strict. The biggest advantage for India is with SU-57e that it can include its software and missile system, which gives strategic freedom.
Published at: 08 Jul 2025 07:30 AM (IST)

