Russia Wooing India With 'Rafale-Beater' Sukhoi Su-57E. Why Is The Deal Still Grounded?
At Aero India 2025, Russia proposed a "golden deal" offering early deliveries of the Sukhoi Su-57E, with domestic manufacturing under the 'Make in India' initiative.
Russia's ambition to position its fifth-generation stealth fighter, the Sukhoi Su-57E, as a formidable player in the global defence market continues to face headwinds. Despite the country's ongoing efforts to market the aircraft to strategic partners like India, Malaysia, and Algeria, the aircraft's journey toward export success remains uncertain.
At the recently concluded Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA 2025) in Malaysia, the spotlight was expected to fall on the Sukhoi Su-57E. Rosoboronexport, Russia's state arms exporter, had announced with some fanfare that the aircraft would be showcased at the event. However, as images from the exhibition began circulating, observers noticed something missing: the jet itself. Only a scale model was displayed at the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) pavilion; no actual Sukhoi Su-57E made it to the airshow.
The Sukhoi Su-57E is the export variant of the Sukhoi Su-57, Russia's answer to fifth-generation platforms like the American F-22 and F-35. Engineered for stealth, supermaneuverability, and equipped with long-range air-to-air missiles such as the R-37M, with a reported range of up to 400 kilometres, the Sukhoi Su-57E represents Russia's bid to enter the elite club of next-generation fighter producers.
Russia has long claimed that the jet would attract buyers from Asia and North Africa. It even hinted that the first foreign customer would begin operating the Sukhoi Su-57E by 2025, though it refrained from naming the country. Algeria is often speculated to be that partner, but no official confirmation has been offered by either side.
India once stood as a close collaborator in Russia's fifth-generation fighter ambitions. As part of the now-defunct FGFA (Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft) project, India had initially partnered with Russia but exited in 2018, citing concerns over cost, performance, and production delays.
Despite that setback, Russia has kept the door open. At the Aero India show in February 2025, Russia had proposed a 'golden deal" offering early deliveries of the Sukhoi Su-57E, domestic manufacturing under India's Make in India initiative, and cooperation in India's indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme. Russian commentators even proposed an India-specific Su-57MKI variant outfitted with powerful long-range missiles.
Still, India has yet to respond officially. With no visible movement on the deal, the pitch remains, at best, aspirational.
Meanwhile, Malaysia's MRCA (Multi-Role Combat Aircraft) program, originally launched in 2009 to replace aging MiG-29 fighters, has yet to reach a final decision. The initial competition featured fourth-generation jets like the Eurofighter Typhoon and Dassault Rafale, but attention has gradually shifted toward more advanced platforms. Despite Russian efforts to position the Sukhoi Su-57E as a contender, the jet's absence at LIMA 2025 may further weaken its chances in Malaysia's defence planning.
Though the Sukhoi Su-57E, nicknamed 'Felon" by NATO, remains a source of pride for Russia's defence industry, its export story is yet to be written. Defence analysts note that while the aircraft's theoretical capabilities are impressive, its limited deployment even within Russia's own air force, and its absence from major airshows, raises questions about its production scalability and operational readiness.
Enthusiastic endorsements from Russian defence circles and social media influencers continue. Some even compare the Sukhoi Su-57E favourably to other fighter jets like France's Rafale.
Watch India Pakistan Breaking News on CNN-News18. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated!
First Published:
May 26, 2025, 12:56 IST
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
18 hours ago
- Indian Express
Historic FTA with UK shows world's trust in India: Modi in Tamil Nadu
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday described the recently concluded FTA between India and UK as 'historic', and said the trade pact showed the world's trust in the country. As regards Operation Sindoor, he said weapons manufactured under the Make in India initiative played a great role during the cross-border military offensive in destroying enemy targets and made enemies lose sleep. The PM inaugurated, laid foundation stones and dedicated projects worth `4,900 crore and underscored the NDA government's commitment towards Tamil Nadu's growth. After inaugurating the projects, Modi said he was blessed to directly land in Tamil Nadu after completing his foreign tour. 'The FTA with Britain adds pace to our vision of Viksit Bharat, Viksit TN,' he said. Promising a developed India and Tamil Nadu, he said, 'infrastructure and energy are the backbone of any state's development; our focus on infrastructure and energy in last 11 years shows our commitment to TN's growth.' The NDA government has constructed Atal Sethu, Sonmarg Tunnel, Bogibeel bridge in different parts of the country and these created thousands of job opportunities. The inaugurated projects include a new state-of-the-art Tuticorin airport terminal building, developed at an estimated cost of around `450 crore. On the occasion, he invoked legendary freedom fighters from the region V O Chidambaram Pillai, king Veerapandia Kattabomman and chieftain Veeran Azhagu Muthukon.
India.com
a day ago
- India.com
'Still keeping terrorists' masters awake at night': PM Modi makes big statement on Made-in-India
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that indigenous 'Indian-made' weapons played a key role in Operation Sindoor and continue to unsettle those who support terrorism. He was speaking at a public event in Tamil Nadu's Thoothukudi, where he also launched a series of development projects. 'Today, the Government of India is strongly emphasising Make in India and Mission Manufacturing. You all recently witnessed the power of Make in India during Operation Sindoor. The weapons made in India played a major role in reducing terrorist hideouts to rubble. Weapons made in India are still keeping the masters of terrorism awake at night,' he said. PM Modi said the government is firmly pushing the 'Make in India' initiative to boost manufacturing and economic growth. He also stressed that the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and Britain will support the goal of making India the world's third-largest economy. 'Today, we are here advancing the vision of a developed Tamil Nadu and a developed India through our efforts. A Free Trade Agreement has been made between Britain and India, which also accelerates this vision. This agreement will also give new strength to India's economy; it will further speed up our pace to become the world's third-largest economy,' the Prime Minister said. 'After this FTA agreement, 99% of Indian products sold in Britain will be tax-free. When Indian goods are cheaper in Britain, their demand will increase… The India-Britain FTA will benefit Tamil Nadu's youth, our small industries, MSMEs, and start-ups the most,' he added. PM Modi also inaugurated the new terminal at Thoothukudi Airport, built at a cost of Rs 450 crore. The terminal is now expected to handle over 20 lakh passengers a year, compared to the earlier capacity of just 3 lakh. '…Today, the inauguration of the new advanced terminal at Thoothukudi Airport is another big step in this direction. This terminal, built at a cost of Rs 450 crore, will now be able to host more than 20 lakh passengers annually, whereas earlier, the annual capacity was only 3 lakh passengers,' he said. The Prime Minister also inaugurated two major road projects worth Rs 2,500 crore to improve connectivity with Chennai. He said that better port links will help boost trade, generate jobs, and make life easier for people in the region. Today, we have also dedicated two major road projects to the people of Tamil Nadu. These roads, built at a cost of approximately Rs 2,500 crore, will connect two major development areas to Chennai… The connectivity of Thoothukudi port has also significantly improved. This will enhance the ease of living in this entire region and open new avenues for trade and employment,' he said. PM Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for various development projects, including port infrastructure, airport expansion, highway upgrades, rail electrification, and clean energy projects, worth around Rs 4,900 crore.
India Today
a day ago
- India Today
Historic free trade deal with UK shows world's trust in India: PM in Tamil Nadu
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday described the recently concluded FTA between India and the UK as 'historic,' and said the trade pact showed the world's trust in the regards Operation Sindoor, he said weapons manufactured under the 'Make in India' initiative played a great role during the cross-border military offensive in destroying enemy targets and making enemies lose PM inaugurated, laid foundation stones and dedicated projects worth Rs 4,900 crore in Tuticorin and underscored the NDA government's commitment towards Tamil Nadu's growth. In his address after inaugurating the projects, PM Modi said he was blessed to directly land in Tamil Nadu after completing his foreign tour during which the India-UK Free Trade Agreement was signed before his visit to the trade pact with Britain was 'historic'."India and Britain signed a FTA. This shows the growing trust of the world and our self-confidence. We will make Viksit (developed) Bharat and Viksit Tamil Nadu with this self-confidence," PM Modi said."FTA with Britain adds pace to our vision of Viksit Bharat, Viksit Tamil Nadu," the PM, clad in a traditional veshti (dhoti), shirt and an angavastram worn around the neck, said. He landed in Tuticorin directly after wrapping up his official tour of the a developed India and Tamil Nadu, he said, "Infrastructure and energy are the backbone of any state's development; our focus on infrastructure and energy in the last 11 years shows our commitment to TN's growth."The NDA government has constructed Atal Setu, Sonmarg Tunnel, Bogibeel Bridge in different parts of the country and these created thousands of job regards the railways, he said it is the lifeline of industrial projects he inaugurated on Saturday are related to airport, highways, railways, port and power in Tamil Nadu and he said that inaugurated projects include a new state-of-the-art Tuticorin airport terminal building, developed at an estimated cost of around Rs 450 regards railway projects, it includes the electrification of the 90 km Madurai–Bodinayakkanur line, commissioned at a cost of Rs 99 crore and the Rs 650 crore doubling of the 21 km Nagercoil Town–Kanniyakumari Prime Minister dedicated to the nation, two strategically significant highway projects - 4-laning of 50 km Sethiyathope–Cholapuram stretch of NH-36, developed at a cost Rs 2,350 crore and 6-laning of the 5.16 km NH-138 Tuticorin Port Road, built at around Rs 200 inaugurated the North Cargo Berth–III with a cargo handling capacity of 6.96 MMTPA at VO Chidambaranar Port, established at a cost of Rs 285 the occasion, he invoked legendary freedom fighters from the region - VO Chidambaram Pillai, king Veerapandia Kattabomman and chieftain Veeran Azhagu Nadu Governor RN Ravi participated in the event. State Finance Minister Thangam Thenarasu presented a memento, a replica of the iconic Valluvar Kottam in Chennai, to the Prime Minister on the Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu, Union Minister of State L Murugan, TN Social Welfare Minister P Geetha Jeevan, Lok Sabha MP Kanimozhi and top officials took part.- EndsTune InMust Watch IN THIS STORY#Narendra Modi
