Moscow: Russia has been trying for the past two to three years to sell its fifth-generation fighter jet, the Su-57, to India. While India has a pressing need for modern combat aircraft, several questions about the Su-57’s operational capabilities remain.
Ukraine Claims Major Blow to Su-57
Ukrainian media reported that Ukrainian Air Force pilots successfully thwarted Russia’s attempts to showcase the Su-57 in combat. According to a MiG-29 pilot quoted in Radio Svoboda, Russia deployed the Su-57 over Donetsk to demonstrate its battlefield reliability for potential international buyers. However, Ukrainian forces ensured that the aircraft did not achieve any publicly visible success, effectively undermining Moscow’s marketing effort.
The Ukrainian pilot said, “The Russian military deployed the Su-57 in combat to gain credibility for export sales. They needed to down one of our aircraft to prove its capability, but we tested its operational behavior and prevented any visible success.”
About the Su-57 Fighter Jet
The Su-57 is a fifth-generation stealth multi-role fighter developed by Russia. It has been marketed globally but has struggled to secure confirmed export customers, with Algeria being the only confirmed buyer. The jet has faced criticism for lacking full stealth capabilities and advanced systems seen in other fifth-generation fighters.
Western defense analysts have also raised questions about the Su-57’s battlefield effectiveness, and Ukraine’s latest claim may further diminish its appeal to new buyers.
India as a Potential Buyer
India remains a potential customer for the Su-57. Russian offers to India reportedly include technology transfer and integration of Indian-made weapon systems. However, India has not yet given the green light for the purchase.
Meanwhile, India recently progressed with the Rafale jet acquisition, which complements the need to strengthen the Air Force’s squadron strength. Experts suggest that both Rafale and Su-57 are essential: Rafale for raw firepower and Su-57 to address stealth capability gaps.
Key Features and Challenges of Su-57
The Su-57 is a multi-role fighter capable of:
- Air superiority missions
- Ground attacks
- Reconnaissance
- Electronic warfare
It can carry long-range R-37M missiles (300-400 km) and hypersonic missiles, and its intelligence features include front-facing surfaces that reduce radar detection.
Despite the demand for stealth fighters, Russia lags behind competitors due to two main issues:
- Limited stealth features compared to American F-35 and F-22 Raptor jets
- Restricted production capacity caused by Western sanctions following the Ukraine war
Experts believe these factors may complicate Russia’s efforts to sell the Su-57 globally, including to India.
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