India Needs 500 Russian Su-57 Fighters to Counter China and Pakistan: RUssian Think Tank

[Beijingwalker]

India Needs 500 Russian Su-57 Fighters to Counter China and Pakistan: RUssian Think Tank​

Russian analysts propose buying 50 Su-57E fighters and producing 450 more in India to counter China and Pakistan's growing airpower.​

• Defensemirror.com Bureau
• 01:56 PM, October 30, 2026

Su-57 fighter at Aero India 2025

India should consider acquiring approximately 500 Russian Su-57 fifth-generation stealth fighters to counter the growing airpower capabilities of China and Pakistan, according to a report by the Center for Analysis of World Arms Trade (CAWAT).

The report recommends an initial purchase of 50 Su-57E export fighters from Russia, followed by licensed production of another 450 aircraft in India, potentially including the proposed two-seat Su-57D variant.

CAWAT estimates that by 2030, Pakistan could operate at least 40 Chinese-made J-35AE fighters, while China could field up to 500 J-20 and J-35 fighters, alongside more than 50 carrier-based J-35s. This would bring the combined projected fleet to approximately 600 fifth-generation aircraft.

In comparison, the report identifies India's existing fleet of more than 300 Rafale and Su-30MKI fighters, alongside its Tejas aircraft, as insufficient to match the emerging capabilities of its regional rivals.

India's modernization gap

The report highlighted delays in India's Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program, launched in 2010 to develop an indigenous fifth-generation fighter. The project has yet to reach the flight-testing stage of its technology demonstrator, with serial production projected no earlier than 2035 under optimistic estimates.

CAWAT argues that acquiring the Su-57E could provide India with an interim fifth-generation capability while supporting its domestic aerospace industry through licensed production and technology transfers.

 

[Naruto]

India Needs 500 Russian Su-57 Fighters to Counter China and Pakistan: RUssian Think Tank​

Russian analysts propose buying 50 Su-57E fighters and producing 450 more in India to counter China and Pakistan's growing airpower.​

• Defensemirror.com Bureau
• 01:56 PM, October 30, 2026

View attachment 221912
Su-57 fighter at Aero India 2025

India should consider acquiring approximately 500 Russian Su-57 fifth-generation stealth fighters to counter the growing airpower capabilities of China and Pakistan, according to a report by the Center for Analysis of World Arms Trade (CAWAT).

The report recommends an initial purchase of 50 Su-57E export fighters from Russia, followed by licensed production of another 450 aircraft in India, potentially including the proposed two-seat Su-57D variant.

CAWAT estimates that by 2030, Pakistan could operate at least 40 Chinese-made J-35AE fighters, while China could field up to 500 J-20 and J-35 fighters, alongside more than 50 carrier-based J-35s. This would bring the combined projected fleet to approximately 600 fifth-generation aircraft.

In comparison, the report identifies India's existing fleet of more than 300 Rafale and Su-30MKI fighters, alongside its Tejas aircraft, as insufficient to match the emerging capabilities of its regional rivals.

India's modernization gap

The report highlighted delays in India's Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program, launched in 2010 to develop an indigenous fifth-generation fighter. The project has yet to reach the flight-testing stage of its technology demonstrator, with serial production projected no earlier than 2035 under optimistic estimates.

CAWAT argues that acquiring the Su-57E could provide India with an interim fifth-generation capability while supporting its domestic aerospace industry through licensed production and technology transfers.

It's all just media speculation about F-35 and Su-57. Indian Air Force and official government spokespersons have made it clear on multiple occasions that AMCA is India's only planned fifth-generation fighter programme.

As of now, there is no official plan to import any foreign fifth generation fighter. India's focus remains on developing and inducting its own indigenous fifth generation fighter, AMCA.

 

[Tumba]

While India needs 500 SU-57, Russians needs 500 J-20 and 500 J-35