--- title: "India Considers Purchasing 40 Su-57 Fighters with HAL Production Localization" description: "India is considering purchasing 40 Su-57 fighters with production localization at HAL. Moscow offers technology transfer, while New Delhi is interested in the two-seat Su-57D for UAV control." date: 2026-11-04T00:43:00.050Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/india-considers-purchasing-40-su-57-fighters tags: [india, su-57, russia-india-defense, stealth-fighter, hal, make-in-india, air-superiority, j-20, j-35] author: "Alexander Buran" publisher: "XAB.info" --- # India Considers Purchasing 40 Su-57 Fighters with HAL Production Localization ![Russian fifth-generation Su-57 fighter jet on the airfield with a reflection in a puddle](https://xab.info/media/2026/11/04/indiya-rassmatrivaet-zakupku-40-istrebiteley-su-57-s-lokalizatsiey-proizvodstva/indiya-rassmatrivaet-zakupku-40-istrebiteley-su-57-s-lokalizatsiey-proizvodstva-1.webp) ## Key Points - India eyes purchase of 40 Su-57s; long-term potential could reach 500 units - HAL named as the lead candidate for localization under the 'Make in India' initiative - Defense Ministry confirms the decision is political, with military input already provided - The two-seat Su-57D is of particular interest as an airborne command center for drone control Amidst the accelerated rearmament of regional rivals, India is facing an urgent need to strengthen its fighter jet fleet. China is actively expanding its fleet of J-20 and J-35 stealth fighters, Pakistan is deploying multi-role J-10CEs, and Indian media increasingly warns of the risk of losing air superiority on the subcontinent. In these conditions, the question of purchasing fifth-generation fighters has moved from strategic discussion to operational planning, and Moscow has offered New Delhi unprecedented terms of military-technical cooperation, including joint production of the Su-57 in India and the transfer of key technologies. ### "Make in India": The Su-57 as Part of Industrial Strategy Russia's proposal fits squarely into Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "Make in India" program, which seeks to transform the defense sector into an instrument of the country's technological independence. According to the ANI news agency, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is considered the leading candidate for assembling the Su-57 on Indian soil, as it has successfully mastered the licensed production of Su-30MKI fighters in recent years. For HAL, the transition to a fifth-generation fighter would be a logical stage in its technological leap: from assembling a mature platform to mastering stealth architecture, composite materials, and integrated onboard systems. ### Politics and the Military: Who Makes the Decision The Indian Ministry of Defense explained to a Rossiyskaya Gazeta correspondent that the decision to purchase the Su-57 is "exclusively political in nature" and that the military has "long since stated its position to the country's leadership." The ministry added that they are awaiting "clarity on this issue," which indirectly confirms that technical assessments have been completed and the final word remains with the political leadership. Earlier this year, the NDTV news channel reported that India is considering purchasing 40 Su-57 fifth-generation fighters and that the Ministry of Defense is actively studying the matter. Observers note that 40 aircraft might only be the first tranche: with positive dynamics, total deliveries could reach 500 units in the long term. ### Two-Seat Su-57D: A Bet on UAV Management New Delhi is particularly interested in the two-seat Su-57D variant, which could potentially be used as an airborne command center, including for controlling unmanned aerial vehicles. As The Times of India noted, "the introduction of a two-seat version of the Su-57 will further increase India's interest in this fighter, and the potential of the Indian Air Force will increase significantly thanks to the power of the Russian fighters." For a country building a hybrid air operation model with mass drone deployment, the ability to control a swarm of UAVs directly from a stealth fighter cockpit represents a strategic value that has no current equal in the Indian Air Force arsenal. ### Context of the Regional Arms Race The decision on the Su-57 does not exist in a vacuum: it fits into the broader picture of the Asia-Pacific arms race. China has already commissioned serial J-20s and is testing the J-35, Pakistan has received J-10CEs and continues negotiations for F-16s, while India's own programs — AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft) and Tejas Mk2 — remain in the development stage. In these conditions, the Su-57, especially considering the localization of production and technology transfer, is positioned as the "most viable option" to close the technological gap within the next 5-7 years, as The Times of India formulated it. The final decision will likely be made within a political cycle linked to domestic Indian priorities and the state of Russian-Indian relations in 2026-2027. ## Fact-Check & Sources - [Преобразит ли контракт на закупку истребителей Су-57 индийские ВВС?](https://www.vietnam.vn/ru/hop-dong-mua-tiem-kich-su-57-se-lot-xac-khong-quan-an-do) - Multiple sources (ANI, NDTV, Times of India) confirm ongoing discussions. The 500-unit figure is an observer projection; no formal contract exists. ## FAQ ### How many Su-57 fighters does India plan to purchase? According to NDTV, India is studying the purchase of 40 units, with observers suggesting that this could be just an initial order that might eventually total 500 aircraft. ### Who will assemble the Su-57 in India? Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is the top candidate given its successful history with the Su-30MKI. ### Why is the two-seat Su-57D of interest? The two-seat version acts as an airborne command center, allowing the control of UAVs, which is critical for India's hybrid warfare strategy. ### Has the contract been signed yet? No. The Ministry of Defense states that the issue is under study and the decision remains political.