Russia and India Discussing Joint Fifth Generation Fighter Program in Landmark for Defence Ties

Russia and India are currently discussing the possibility of pursuing a joint fifth generation fighter program, according to the Director of the Russian Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation Dmitry Shugayev. He added that the two countries are also discussing options for further production of the Russian Su-30MKI fighter in India, further modernisation of the aircraft,joint production of air-launched weapons, and the development of military-technical cooperation on modern air defence systems and unmanned aircraft. Russia and India had previously partnered to develop a heavily customised variant of the Su-57 fifth generation fighter specifically to meet Indian Air Force requirements, with the type intended to then be jointly manufactured for export to foreign clients. India withdrew from the program due to major delays in the Su-57’s development, as well as the high costs associated with the program.

It remains uncertain whether a joint program would entail Russia’s involvement in the Indian AMCA fifth generation fighter program, a new effort to jointly develop a new Su-57 variant, or an entirely separate program altogether. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on December 2 confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin would discuss the joint production of the Su-57 with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his trip to Delhi, after Indian Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh in July confirmed that talks for procurements of the aircraft were underway. Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov in Novemberconfirmed that these talks were continuing. Anticipated delays to the local FGFA next generation fighter program, and India’s lack of other options for fifth generation fighter procurements, have been major factors increasing interest in the Su-57.

Indian media outlets have reported that a license production deal could begin with the sale of two squadrons of Su-57s built in Russia, which would be followed by production of a further five squadrons locally. While this would mirror the prior license production deal signed for the Su-30MKI, a joint program would expand the scope of cooperation beyond this likely entail greater investment by India, greater technology transfers by Russia, and joint ownership of many of the technologies developed. Where the Indian defence sector’s much more limited technological base in the 2000s, and prevailing uncertainties regarding the Su-57 program, were major factors that impeded progress with a joint program in the past, the Su-57’s combat testing from 2022, and beginning of export deliveries in November 2025, combined with the greater ability of Indian industries to contribute technologies, could allow a new joint program to proceed more smoothly.