India’s Fifth-Gen Fighter Choice: Russian Su-57E, U.S. F-35, or Indigenous AMCA for the Indian Air Force?

Bengaluru, India – The global aerospace industry witnessed an unprecedented display of military aviation prowess at Aero India 2025, where the U.S. Lockheed Martin F-35A and Russia’s Sukhoi Su-57E shared the same runway in a bid to woo the Indian Air Force (IAF). The spectacle highlighted India's strategic non-alignment, as New Delhi finds itself at a crossroads—choosing between American and Russian fifth-generation fighters, while simultaneously striving for indigenous defence self-reliance.

The presence of these rival aircraft at the February 10-14 event showcased the latest battle for India’s lucrative defence market. Historically, India has depended on Russia for military hardware, but the U.S. has gained significant traction in recent years. This latest push by both nations underscores the increasing global competition to supply India with advanced fifth-generation fighter jets.

Russia Offers Full Technology Transfer for Su-57E

Russian officials wasted no time in pitching the Su-57E, an export variant of the Su-57, as a viable option for the IAF. A Rosoboronexport official stated that India could manufacture the Su-57E domestically with full technology transfer, a highly attractive proposition for a country keen on bolstering its indigenous defence industry.

According to sources, Russia has held informal discussions with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) regarding the prospect of manufacturing the Su-57E at HAL’s Nasik facility, which currently assembles the Su-30MKI fighter jets.

Ironically, India had earlier withdrawn from the Indo-Russian Fifth-Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) program, which eventually led to the development of the Su-57. However, Rosoboronexport's Director General, Alexander Mikheev, asserted that the first foreign customer of the Su-57E would receive the aircraft in 2025—a statement seemingly aimed at India.

Days later, Algerian media reported that Algeria had already placed an order for the Su-57E, throwing uncertainty over India’s potential role as the jet’s first export customer.

Trump’s Surprise F-35 Offer to India

The competition took an unexpected turn when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House in mid-February. In a groundbreaking shift, Trump announced that he was “paving the way” for India to acquire the F-35 stealth fighter, marking the first time a U.S. administration had publicly considered selling its most advanced combat aircraft to India.

A joint U.S.-India leaders’ statement on February 13 further indicated that the U.S. was reviewing its policy on exporting fifth-generation fighters to India. This statement sparked intense speculation within defence circles, as the U.S. has traditionally been highly protective of the F-35’s sensitive technology.

Reacting swiftly, Lockheed Martin welcomed the move:

“We’re encouraged by the recent announcement by President Trump to provide the F-35 to India. We look forward to working closely with both governments on upcoming strategic procurements, including the fighters.”

Challenges in Integrating the F-35 into India’s Air Force

Despite the prestige associated with acquiring the F-35, several challenges remain. The biggest challenge would be technological restrictions. The U.S. may not permit the F-35 to integrate into India’s existing Russian-origin command-and-control systems, including those linked to the Su-30MKI fleet. The U.S. has long urged India to reduce its dependence on Russian military equipment, raising concerns about potential technology leaks if India operates both American and Russian aircraft.

India’s own Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program is progressing, though deliveries are unlikely before 2034. Acquiring the F-35 or Su-57E could undermine this Make in India initiative. India’s defence purchases have traditionally leaned towards Russia, with $50 billion worth of contracts signed over the past two decades. 

However, a 2024 Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) report revealed that while Russia accounted for 36% of India’s defence imports between 2019-2023, this represented a 34% decline from the previous five-year period. Meanwhile, the U.S. has aggressively expanded its defence footprint in India, selling more than $20 billion worth of military equipment since 2008. Key American platforms in India’s arsenal include:

• C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft
• C-17A Globemaster III heavy-lift aircraft
• P-8I Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft
• AH-64E Apache and CH-47F Chinook helicopters
• Hellfire and Stinger missiles
• M777A2 howitzers
• 31 MQ-9B drones (latest $4 billion deal)

Washington is also pushing for co-production deals with India, including agreements for Javelin missiles, Stryker armored vehicles, and six additional P-8I aircraft. Earlier this month, India announced a 9.53% increase in its defence budget to $78.3 billion for 2025-2026, reflecting its commitment to military modernization. The Ministry of Defence justified the hike by stating:

“In the current geopolitical scenario where the world is witnessing a changing paradigm of modern warfare, the Indian Armed Forces need to be equipped with state-of-the-art weapons and have to be transformed into a technologically advanced combat-ready force.”

India’s Choice: Su-57E, F-35, or AMCA?

India must now make a crucial decision:

• Opt for the Russian Su-57E, ensuring full technology transfer and compatibility with existing IAF platforms.
• Embrace the U.S. F-35, gaining access to the world’s most advanced stealth fighter but facing operational and technological integration hurdles.
• Prioritize the indigenous AMCA, accepting a prolonged capability gap versus China’s growing fleet of J-20 stealth fighters.

The rivalry between the U.S. and Russia to secure India's fifth-generation fighter contract is more intense than ever. While the F-35 and Su-57E both offer cutting-edge capabilities, the final decision will be shaped by geopolitical calculations, long-term strategic partnerships, and India’s commitment to self-reliance in defence manufacturing.