India’s defence manufacturing landscape could see a significant development with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) indicating its readiness to manufacture Russia’s Su-57 fighter aircraft in the country. HAL Chairman Ravi Kotecha has said the company has the technical expertise, workforce and infrastructure required to undertake such a major programme.
The Su-57 is Russia’s fifth-generation fighter aircraft, designed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau. The aircraft is intended to engage targets in the air, on land and at sea, while operating in challenging weather and electronic-warfare environments. Its design also incorporates reduced visibility characteristics associated with fifth-generation combat aircraft.
The proposal comes amid continued India-Russia discussions on defence cooperation. During the recent BRICS summit in Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin held bilateral discussions covering defence-related issues. Reports have indicated that the Su-57, upgrades for India’s Su-30MKI fleet and additional air-defence systems were among areas discussed.
Russia had earlier proposed joint production and technology transfer for the export version of the Su-57, known as the Su-57E. The proposal emerged alongside wider international interest in India’s future fighter aircraft requirements.
The reported discussions also come after the United States offered India the F-35A variant of the F-35 Lightning II during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the US in February 2025.
For HAL, domestic production of the Su-57 would represent an expansion of its role in advanced fighter manufacturing. It would also place greater emphasis on technology transfer, industrial capability and local production within India’s defence sector. The proposal remains subject to agreements and formal decisions between the relevant parties.
