Russia offers India full tech access to Su-57 fighter jet
What's the story
Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered India full access to the technology of the Sukhoi Su-57 stealth fighter jet. He made this offer while speaking to global media on the sidelines of the St Petersburg International Economic Forum, calling the aircraft "the best in the world." This comes after India's previous withdrawal from a joint development program under the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) project in 2018 due to concerns over costs, developmental delays, and technology transfer.
Project history
Putin takes a jab at Western nations
Putin recalled that India had previously opted for Russia to continue independently with the FGFA project, saying, "At the time, our Indian partners preferred that Russia proceed independently and indicated they would consider joining the project at a later stage." He also took a jab at Western nations for their restrictive practices on technology transfer.
New terms
New twin-seat variant of Su-57
Now, Russia's state-owned defense exporter Rosoboronexport has changed its terms to align with India's "Make in India" initiative. The new twin-seat tandem-cockpit variant of the Su-57 has caught the attention of defense analysts. This version's second seat is meant to act as a tactical command station, allowing operators to manage loyal wingman drones and execute sophisticated electronic warfare operations.
Defense evaluation
India yet to finalize 5th-generation fighter aircraft
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is still without a fifth-generation stealth fighter as regional competitors like China and Pakistan advance their air power. While India's Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program is underway, it won't be ready for service until the mid-2030s. This leaves India to explore options such as Russia's proposal or even the United States's floated the possibility of offering the F-35, which comes with its own set of restrictions and no local manufacturing commitments.