Russia’s fifth-gen Su-57 fighter jets are cheapest in the market:Will it prove a better deal than Rafale if India accepts offer?

India is looking for a modern stealth fighter jet to strengthen its Air Force, and Russia has now made a major proposal. Russian President Vladimir Putin has said Russia is ready to jointly develop and manufacture the Su-57—its most advanced stealth fighter—with India, while also sharing key military technologies. The offer comes at a time when the Indian Air Force does not have any fifth-generation (stealth) fighter jets. These aircraft are designed to evade enemy radar, carry advanced sensors, and operate in highly contested airspace. The issue has become more important amid reports that Pakistan could acquire China’s J-35 stealth fighter. Meanwhile, India’s own fifth-generation fighter project, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), is still under development and is expected to enter service only in the mid-2030s. What Russia Is Offering Technology Transfer
Russia has proposed sharing the technology required to manufacture the Su-57 in India under the Make in India initiative, with production likely to involve Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Faster Induction
Under the reported plan, India could receive around 30 ready-made aircraft initially, while the remaining jets would be produced in India. Access to Software
One of the most significant parts of the offer is access to the fighter’s software source code. This would allow India to integrate its own missiles, weapons, sensors, and electronic systems—a level of flexibility rarely available in major fighter jet deals. Putin said Russia is ready not only to supply the aircraft but also to continue developing it jointly with India, adding that there are “no issues or limitations” on such cooperation. How Much Does the Su-57 Cost? A Su-57 is estimated to cost between ($35 million and $50 million (roughly ₹300-430 crore) per aircraft.) However, the final cost of any defence deal is usually much higher because it includes: How Does It Compare With Rafale? India’s 2016 deal for 36 Rafale fighter jets was worth about ₹59,000 crore. That package included: As a result, the overall cost worked out to around ₹1,640 crore per aircraft, although the jet itself cost much less than that. Which Countries Build Fifth-Generation Fighters? Only three countries currently manufacture operational fifth-generation fighter jets: How Many Countries Have Fifth-Generation Fighters? The F-35 is by far the most widely exported fifth-generation fighter. At least 18 US allies have bought or ordered it, including countries such as the UK, Italy, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Israel, Poland, Finland and Switzerland. Outside the F-35 programme, only the US, Russia and China currently operate indigenous fifth-generation fighter aircraft. Why Didn’t India Buy an American Stealth Fighter? India has not purchased a US fifth-generation fighter because it was uncomfortable with some of Washington’s conditions. India wanted: American fifth-generation fighter jets typically cost $70–150 million (₹600–1,300 crore) per aircraft, making them among the most expensive combat jets in the world. In comparison, Russia’s Su-57 is estimated to cost around $35–50 million (₹300–430 crore) per jet—roughly half the price of many Western stealth fighters. However, the aircraft’s sticker price is only part of the total bill. Defence deals also include expenses such as missiles and weapons packages, maintenance support, spare parts, pilot training, infrastructure, logistics, and local manufacturing arrangements. As a result, the final value of a fighter jet deal can be several times higher than the cost of the aircraft alone. As a result, India has so far chosen not to proceed with a US stealth fighter deal, keeping options open while continuing work on its own AMCA programme and evaluating other alternatives. If India accepts Russia’s offer, it could significantly strengthen the country’s air power and defence capabilities. It would give the Indian Air Force access to a fifth-generation stealth fighter much sooner, while also helping India gain valuable technology and manufacturing expertise for future military aircraft programs.