Russia’s Su-57 “Felon” fifth-generation stealth-fighter once again enthralled the spectators at the recent Dubai air show. As India prepares to host Putin, defence cooperation has moved to the centre.
Expectations around Putin’s visit are high. S-400 is expected to be the star point of discussion. There could be some discussions on Su-57 collaboration as well.
It could mean the beginning of a new era of co-development rather than a traditional buyer-seller arrangement. Moscow has made its most significant military proposal to India in years by offering full licensed production of the Su-57 in India, along with unrestricted transfer of technology, the level of access no defence partner has ever offered India to date.
While India needs technological help for its own fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program, New Delhi will not enter into any deal that scuttles or even slows the AMCA.
The American F-35 has flown at the last two Indian air shows, but no offer has yet been made. The tri-nation sixth-generation Global Combat Air Program (GCAP) partners have made overtures to India to join the program. But India has been quietly watching from the sidelines.
China has inducted large numbers of fifth-generation J-20 fighters and is already flight-testing the J-35 and two sixth-generation fighters. Pakistan has been upgrading its air force with advanced fighter jets and aerial weapons, and is seeking stealth fifth-generation fighter aircraft from both China and Turkey.
If Pakistan goes on to acquire a fifth-generation jet ahead of India, this could create serious turbulence within the Indian military establishment.
There remain technological uncertainties with India’s AMCA, which will, at best, be inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF) no earlier than 2038. Given the regional threat assessment, India may be forced to make a quick decision.
AMCA Status
The AMCA’s success is considered urgent due to the country’s declining fighter squadron strength, the modernization of rival air forces, and the need to maintain a technological edge in air combat.
The program aims to replace aging aircraft and introduce a fifth-generation fighter, addressing both operational and strategic requirements.
The IAF is down to 29 fighter squadrons vis-à-vis the sanctioned strength of 42.5, and several more are scheduled for retirement in the coming years. The IAF plans to induct a total of 120 AMCA. This includes 40 AMCA Mk 1 (partially stealth) and 80 AMCA Mk 2 variants.
The single-seat, twin-engine, fifth-generation stealth, multirole AMCA is being designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA). The AMCA is intended to perform a multitude of missions, including air supremacy, ground-strike, Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD), and electronic warfare (EW) missions.
It is intended to supplant the Sukhoi Su-30MKI air superiority fighter, which forms the backbone of the IAF fighter fleet. The AMCA design is optimized for low radar cross-section and super-cruise capability.
As of date, the prototype development phase is underway after the completion of the feasibility study, preliminary design stage, and detailed design phase.
The program, originally launched in 2010 as a 20-tonne-class fighter, is now a 25-tonne-class fighter. The design work was completed in 2023, and approval for the ₹15,000 crore (US$1.8 billion) project to develop prototypes was received from CCS in March 2024.
A total of 5 prototypes are to be built. The first three prototypes will carry out developmental flight trials, whereas the next two will focus on weapon trials. The prototypes are planned to roll out every 8-9 months. At the Aero India 2025, a full-scale engineering model of the AMCA was publicly demonstrated for the first time. Each prototype will cost ₹1,000 crore (US$120 million).
On 22 August 2025, the Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced that the AMCA engine will be co-developed with Safran over a period of 10 years. The development will be a part of the Horizon 2047 document under the strategic partnership of India and France.
A total of 9 prototype engines will be developed over 12 years. While the initial maximum thrust of the engines will be 120 kN, it will be gradually increased to 140 kN.
The prototypes will be produced in India under Indian Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), with Safran transferring 100 percent of the technology to its Indian counterpart, GTRE.
The technologies include key components such as single-crystal blade technology, which is necessary for efficient, high-endurance operations in high-stress, high-heat environments. The engines will be manufactured through the Development cum Production Partner program.
Proposal For AMCA Industry Partnership Model
The government has yet to decide on the aircraft’s production partner. ADA had proposed handing over responsibility to private-sector companies instead of HAL to expedite execution.
HAL already has overloaded order books. The government has shifted to an “industry partnership model” rather than the initial plans for a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV). The private sector partner would be responsible for development, production, and lifetime maintenance of the jet and the aero-engine.
On 27 May 2025, the MoD cleared the “Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) Programme Execution Model”. Both private and public sector companies can bid either as independent entities or as consortia or joint ventures to secure the contract.
As of now, the official position is that the prototype rollout by 2028-29, first flight by 2029, service introduction by 2034, and series production by 2035. Whether India can stick to the proposed timeline is a different question.
The consortium, structured as a public-private partnership (PPP), will subsequently bid to become the designated AMCA development consortium. The bidder has to establish dedicated facilities for the serial production of the aircraft. The bidder must complete the development, prototyping, flight testing, and certification of the AMCA within 8 years of signing the contract.
The Su-57 Offer
Russia is proposing an initial supply of Su-57E fighters produced in Russia, followed by manufacturing in India with increased indigenous content.
This would mean far beyond assembly from imported kits. Russia is willing to open the entire fifth-generation ecosystem, which includes engines, sensors, stealth materials, avionics, and other classified systems.
Russia is also prepared to provide technological learning in areas such as fifth-generation engines, optics, AESA radar, artificial intelligence, low-signature technologies, and advanced air weapons.
The reported base price of the aircraft is unbelievably low at $45 million. The Su-57 is being termed the “mother of all offers,” with complete technology transfer and co-production in India.
All this is based on statements made by Russian officials at the Dubai Airshow. Hard facts will emerge when professionals sit across the table, and when a pen is put on paper. But the total number built is still very few (42).
Also, earlier India had walked away from its predecessor, the joint fight-generation fighter aircraft (FGFA). But then, the Su-57 is the only serious foreign offer as of date.
Current 5th & 6th Generation Fighters
The bulk of the fighters flying with air forces worldwide are 4th- and 4.5-generation fighters. Nearly 1,750 fifth-generation fighters are in operational service.
These include the American F-22 and F-35, the Russian Su-57, and the Chinese J-20 and J-35. Turkey’s TAI TF-X Kaan and South Korea’s KF-21EX Boramae are also under flight testing.
Russia’s Sukhoi Su-75 Checkmate, India’s AMCA, and Saab’s Flygsystem 2020 are programs to develop a fifth-generation fighter. Many have begun adopting 6th-generation technologies through upgrades.
China already has two 6th-generation aircraft, the Chengdu J-36 and the Shenyang J-50, under flight testing, and the USA has Boeing F-47. Many countries require fewer aircraft and cannot afford to fund the programs on their own, so they are forming consortia.
GCAP and French-led Future Combat Air System (FCAS) are two such 6th-generation programs.
Sixth-Generation Technologies
Sixth-generation technologies are still evolving, at the leading edge and therefore expensive. Advanced digital capabilities, including high-capacity networking, AI, data fusion, cyber warfare, Data-to-Decision (D2D), and battlefield command, control, and communications (C3) capabilities.
Increased speed and range. Advanced stealth airframes and avionics. More modular design with primary aircraft components able to be swapped within hours to optimize for the mission requirements and ease the introduction of future upgrades.
Software architecture that separates flight-critical operations from other functionality. Use of advanced GaN transistors in AESA radar. They are using 5th- and 6th-generation communications, the Internet of Things (IoT), and a system-of-systems approach with extensive data sharing across platforms.
Increased battlefield survivability in the highly contested, anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) environment and ground support/attack enhanced and adapted to the future threat environment.
An initial focus on air superiority roles has shifted away from close-in dogfighting, which is becoming less common, and has broadened to embrace ground support, cyber warfare, and even space warfare, with very long-range air-to-air missiles (VLRAAM) remaining important.
The flexibility to undertake manned and unmanned missions is also sought, along with the ability to integrate with larger fleets of satellite drones and ground sensors in a high-traffic, networked environment.
Sixth-generation fighters will mostly have single-seat cockpits. Basic flying and procedures training will be conducted mainly on simulators. Some will be optionally manned, which will perform AI-supported missions.
Manned fighters will control “Loyal Wingman” or a swarm of drones for both offensive and defensive tasks. The aircraft will be able to act as an airborne network node.
It will be capable of receiving and relaying data to multiple platforms, including other aircraft, ground vehicles, and satellites. It will also process data on board and dynamically generate new target lists or update mission parameters on the fly.
Increased-range sensors and standoff weapons that can take both aerial and surface targets. Greater electrical power generation to enable equipping directed energy weapons (DEW), such as a laser, and close-in-weapon-systems (CIWS).
A virtual cockpit and helmet-mounted display provide the pilot with 360-degree vision, eliminating the need for many other cockpit displays. The sixth-generation strike capability with a system of systems, including communications, space capabilities, standoff, and stand-in options.
Global Combat Air Program (GCAP)
The GCAP is a multinational initiative led by the United Kingdom, Japan, and Italy to jointly develop a sixth-generation stealth fighter announced by the respective governments on 9 December 2022.
This was cemented with a treaty signed in December 2023 in Japan. The program will merge their previously separate sixth-generation projects, of the BAE Systems Tempest (UK and Italy), and Mitsubishi F-X programs.
The collaborative governmental headquarters and industrial hub for the effort will be based in the UK, with Japan providing the first CEO and Italy providing the first leader of the business entity.
The formal development phase has just begun. The prototype flight demonstrator is expected around 2027, and aircraft service induction around 2035.
The program aims to replace the Eurofighter Typhoon in service with both the Royal Air Force (RAF) and the Italian Air Force, and the Mitsubishi F-2 in service with the Japan Air Self-Defence Force (JASDF). The aircraft would also be expected to be available for export, further reducing per-unit costs.
The program is envisaged as an equal partnership between the member nations. In the UK, BAE Systems will act as prime contractor and handle the airframe, Rolls-Royce the engines, Leonardo’s UK division the electronics, and MBDA UK the weapons.
In Japan, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries will act as prime contractor, with IHI Corporation handling the engines, and Mitsubishi Electric handling the electronics. In Italy, Leonardo S.p.A. will be the prime contractor, with Avio Aero working on the engines and MBDA IT on missile development.
Detailed development and cost-sharing for each company are being clarified, and production will begin around 2030, with the first aircraft deployed in 2035. They were looking at possible Swedish, Saudi Arabian, and German membership. They are wooing India.
An attempt to bring Sweden into the GCAP program did not proceed, as Sweden’s concepts for the future fighter did not align with those of the UK or Italy. Also, they wanted to pursue upgrades to the JAS-39 Gripen. Saudi Arabia was keen to join the program, but Japan had strongly opposed its participation due to security concerns over sensitive technologies.
In mid-March 2024, Leonardo’s CEO, Roberto Cingolani, criticised the UK for a lack of transparency regarding the details of the procurement of the wider system-of-systems for GCAP, and for still-uncertain manufacturing and development responsibilities among the various partner companies.
Notwithstanding the differences, the GCAP is transitioning from the concept and assessment phase to the full development and design phase at the end of 2025.
Future Combat Air System (FCAS)
The FCAS is a European combat system-of-systems under development by Dassault Aviation, Airbus, and Indra Sistemas. It will consist of a Next-Generation Weapon System (NGWS) and other air assets in the future operational battle space.
It will be a sixth-generation fighter that also serves as a remote carrier for swarm drones. It may supersede France’s Rafale, Germany’s and Spain’s Eurofighter. A test flight of a demonstrator is expected around 2027, a test with swarming drones is planned for 2028 or 2029, and service entry is expected around 2040.
The aircraft will also be carrier-capable and will fly from the French Navy’s future aircraft carrier. Each country has designated a national industrial coordinator, Airbus for Germany, Indra for Spain, and Dassault for France.
Safran will be the prime contractor for the engine, while MTU Aero Engines, as the main partner for the first phase of research and technology, will lead engine services.
There have been serious disagreements between Dassault and Airbus over work-sharing. There was “no agreement on the budget or intellectual property.” Dassault Aviation could receive 80 percent of the FCAS work-share, which would be a significant disadvantage for the German defence industry.
In mid-November 2025, French Defence Minister Catherine Vautrin publicly stated that Germany currently lacked the capacity to build a fighter jet. This could not be done overnight. It required expertise.
Dynamics & Options For India
It can be seen that differences repeatedly surface in multinational programs, whether in the GCAP (to a lesser extent) or in the FCAS (to the point that the project may be called off).
Japan invited India to join the GCAP program, and I am sure France would have, though unofficially, pitched the FCAS dream.
These multinational programs sound interesting on paper, but can cause significant friction and delays, as we are seeing in the FCAS. It would not be a good idea for India to join either of them, and New Delhi has rightly stayed away from the Japanese and French offers.
While the Russian offer of a make-in-India Su-57 with full technology transfer and lower cost may look attractive, the real technical details and costs will emerge only during detailed, serious discussions.
Russia desperately needs a partner for the Su-57. Statements at airshows have high glamour and rhetorical value. Yes, Russia is a time-tested friend. But the Su-57 production rate is still low. How much technology will actually be shared will remain a question mark.
If India chooses to build the Su-57 domestically, it would require a very large investment. Can India afford two parallel fifth-generation programs?
It is bound to affect the AMCA program. India also requires funding for 114 MRFA, where Rafale would be the best choice due to its operational success and continuity.
The French Air Force currently operates no 5th-generation fighter aircraft. The Rafale is a highly advanced, 4.5-generation fighter with some stealth features. India could go for the latest F4 and F5 variants of the Rafale.
India is already making the Rafale fuselage. Dassault has already announced the setting up of an MRO facility for M-88 engines, which power the Rafale, in India. With large Rafale order books, France needs another production line. If India chooses the 114 Rafale, such a full production line would get set up in India—a win-win for both.
Meanwhile, AMCA timelines are bound to slip. India would still need an interim 5th-generation aircraft. So the best option would be to acquire 2-3 squadrons of Su-57 through outright purchase, along with the latest long-range weapons without making in India.
The decision to acquire 5th-gen jets could be accelerated depending on how India’s “regional adversaries” plan their move!
AMCA Success Strategic Imperative
AMCA’s early success is a strategic imperative for India, enhancing its air combat capabilities and reducing reliance on foreign platforms. The AMCA is meant to provide a technological advantage over adversaries and enable India to compete in modern air warfare. The program aims to boost indigenous aerospace capabilities.
India is still at ‘work-in-progress’ in technologies related to aero-engines, AESA radars, EW systems, modern weapons, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and other advanced avionics.
It still has to get its MUM-T “Loyal Wingman” technology right. India needs to put more money on the table and invest in more sixth-generation technologies to be included in AMCA. India must hasten the development of the LCA Mk2 and the AMCA.
India must quickly decide on a major private player to be the lead integrator. The integrator must then form a consortium of private industry, as has been done in most programs worldwide.
Meeting the AMCA’s projected induction timeline is crucial to addressing operational gaps and maintaining a credible deterrent. In essence, the AMCA is not just a fighter jet project; it’s a national security priority that demands swift, decisive action to maintain India’s aerial dominance and strategic posture.
The program must be monitored at the PMO level. The time to get going was yesterday. Let India get its act right now at least.
- Air Marshal Anil Chopra (Retired) is an Indian Air Force veteran, fighter test pilot, and ex-director-general of the Center for Air Power Studies. He has been decorated with gallantry and distinguished service medals during his 40-year tenure in the IAF.
- This is an Opinion Article. Views Personal of the Author
- He tweets @Chopsyturvey
- Follow EurAsian Times on Google News
