By Anthony Marcus for Eurasia Business News, August 11, 2025. Article n°1700
The Indian Air Force is preparing measures to combat the reduction of the flight fleet due to its obsolescence and reduced resource life. To do this, it is planned to increase the number of French Rafal aircraft in service. In addition, the Air Force has a need for two or three squadrons of fifth-generation fighters, and the Russian Su-57 is considered as one of the main contenders, reported The Times of India with reference to local officials and the military.
Over the past decade, the number of combat aircraft in the Indian Air Force fleet has decreased by 151 units. The Indian Air Force (IAF) currently operates only about 31 combat squadrons against an authorized strength of 42 squadrons. This shortfall corresponds to roughly 11 squadrons less, translating to a deficit of approximately 180 to 200 fighter aircraft due to retirements of older types like the MiG-21, MiG-23, and MiG-27 without adequate replacements.
In this regard, the Indian military wants to finally resolve the issue of a full-fledged resumption of the MRFA (Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft) program stopped in 2019 with the purchase of 114 foreign fighters, which should be partially produced in India. It is planned that representatives of the Air Force within one to two months will submit to the MRFA for preliminary consideration a document recognizing the need for procurement, which must then be approved by the Defense Procurement Council under the Ministry of Defense of India.
According to sources of The Times of India, the Indian military is also considering the acquisition and production of fifth-generation American F-35 fighters. However, given the information about the refusal of the Indian government to consider the idea of purchasing these cars due to the introduction of 25% trade duties by the United States, such an initiative is unlikely to be approved. At the same time, the publication stipulates that official negotiations on the Russian Su-57 “have not yet begun.”
The Su-57 is Russia’s fifth-generation multirole stealth fighter, designed for both air superiority and ground strike missions. It features advanced stealth capabilities, supermaneuverability with thrust-vectoring engines, and a supercruise ability allowing sustained supersonic flight at around Mach 1.3 without afterburners. The maximum speed is Mach 2+ (above 2,400 km/h). The aircraft has a blended wing body design, extensive use of composite materials to reduce radar cross-section, and carries weapons internally to maintain stealth while providing a high payload capacity of up to 10,000 kg.
The operational range is approximately 3,500 km on internal fuel and the service ceiling is up to around 20,000 meters (66,000 feet). The engines of the Su-57 are two Saturn AL-41F1 turbofans (early versions), with newer versions having a more powerful engine. Avionics are made of an advanced AESA radar, infrared and optical sensors, electronic warfare systems, and integrated systems for superior situational awareness.
The armament is made of internal weapons bays that carry air-to-air missiles (long-range R-77M, short-range R-74M2), air-to-ground precision munitions (Kh-38, Kh-59 cruise missiles), anti-radiation missiles, and a 30 mm internal cannon
The Su-57 is capable of highly agile maneuvers including Pugachev’s Cobra and has aerodynamic features like adjustable leading-edge vortex controllers (LEVCONs) to enhance stability during extreme maneuvers. It also has an extendable refueling probe for increased range.
Russia and India are founding member states of the BRICS since 2009 and strategic partners. The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi went to Moscow in official visit in July 2024, to meet with the Russian president Vladimir Putin and talk about strategic cooperation, trade, oil supplies, military ties.
In the field of trade and economic cooperation, Putin and Modi noted in July 2024 the growth of bilateral trade last year – it almost doubled the previously set bar of $30 billion by 2025. The parties have set a new trade target: India and Russia intend to reach $100 billion by 2030.
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© Copyright 2025 – Eurasia Business News. Article no. 1700
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