Kathrine Frich
India and Russia have been major defence partners for decades, dating back to the Cold War.
Moscow supplied New Delhi with everything from tanks and missiles to front-line aircraft, while India remained one of Russia’s most important export markets.
But since the invasion of Ukraine, the relationship has shifted as India pursues greater military autonomy and diversifies away from Russian hardware.
That shift is now sharply visible in the country’s latest fighter-jet decision.
Shifting priorities
According to United24 Media, India has rejected Moscow’s renewed offer to purchase the Su-57, Russia’s most advanced combat aircraft.
Despite proposals that included technology transfer and the option for Hindustan Aeronautics Limited to assemble the jets domestically, officials in New Delhi chose to prioritise the development of the home-grown Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft, or AMCA.
Indian analysts quoted by the Defence Research Wing said the military was increasingly sceptical about the long-term value of relying on Russian technology.
They argued that India’s next-generation aircraft must surpass the Su-57 in avionics, sensors and weapons integration, even if the new jet carries a smaller payload.
Russia’s pitch falls short
Moscow attempted to sweeten the offer by including the Izdelie 177S engine used in newer Su-57 variants, a tempting prospect given India’s decades-long struggle to complete its own GTX-35VS Kaveri engine.
As Defense Express noted, the Kaveri programme may require another 10 to 12 years before achieving operational capability.
Still, Indian authorities reportedly questioned both the cost-effectiveness of the Russian proposal and whether it would support their wider industrial ambitions.
The country’s withdrawal from the joint FGFA project in 2018 already signalled discomfort with Moscow’s terms; the latest rejection suggests New Delhi’s concerns have only deepened.
Commitment to AMCA
India now aims to have the AMCA enter service in the 2030s, marking its first domestically designed stealth fighter.
This timeline aligns with the government’s wider focus on technological independence and the eventual development of a sixth-generation aircraft.
Analysts cited by United24 Media say this shift reflects a broader recalibration of India’s defence strategy.
While Russia remains a partner in several areas, the era in which Moscow could expect New Delhi to buy its flagship jets appears to be over.
Sources: WP, United24 Media, Defence Research Wing, Defense Express
