A Russian stealth fighter aircraft arrived in India on Thursday as Moscow readied to offer New Delhi, which is China’s geopolitical rival, cooperation on the advanced jet project.
Newsweek has contacted the Russian and Indian defense ministries and the Chinese Foreign Ministry for comment by email.
Why It Matters
Russia has been a major supplier of weapons to India, which accounted for 36 percent of the Indian arms imports between 2019 and 2023. New Delhi has also continued to buy Moscow’s oil and overtook China as the largest importer during the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.
India has a disputed northern border with China, which is Russia’s quasi-ally. To the south in the Indian Ocean, the Indian navy has strengthened its presence as Beijing expanded its maritime activities. New Delhi considers the region an area of vital importance.
What To Know
Citing a source in the Indian air force, Russian state news agency TASS reported that a Su-57E fighter jet, which can evade radar detection, landed in Bengaluru, formerly named Bangalore, in southern India for the 2025 Aero India aerospace and defense exhibition.
The Su-57 is the first Russian military aircraft in service designed with stealth technology, which has an export version, the Su-57E. Two Su-57 prototype aircraft visited China for an airshow last November, but they were mocked for poor workmanship and conditions.
According to the report, Rostec, a Russian state-owned defense corporation, claimed that Moscow “was ready to offer” India what it called “full cooperation” on the Su-57E project.
The proposals included the supply of finished aircraft and joint production in India. Russia would also assist India in developing its own stealthy fifth-generation fighter jet like the American F-22 and F-35, as well as the Chinese J-20 that are in service, the report added.
Satellite imagery captured last May showed that the Chinese military deployed at least six J-20 fighter aircraft to an airport roughly 93 miles from the contested border with India.
HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP via Getty Images
What People Are Saying
TASS, in its report: “The Su-57 jet is the world’s only fifth-generation fighter that has proven its effectiveness in real combat conditions against Western air defense systems. The aircraft is capable of carrying a wide range of precision-guided weapons and features low visibility for enemy detection systems.”
Joint statement from the 22nd India-Russia summit in Moscow on July 8-9, 2024: “Development of the India-Russia relations over the entire spectrum of cooperation areas is a shared foreign policy priority. [Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin] agreed to make all efforts to unlock the full potential of the strategic partnership.”
What Happens Next
While India is likely to continue its military modernization to counter China, it remains to be seen whether it will accept Russia’s offer to acquire another Russian-made weapon.
