India’s air power is facing a difficult situation. The country needs more modern fighter jets, but some of its older aircraft are being retired while newer Indian-made fighters will still take several years to arrive in large numbers.
At this time, Russia has reportedly put forward two major proposals for India.
One is the Su-57, a Russian fifth-generation fighter jet.
The second is a large upgrade programme for India’s existing Su-30MKI aircraft, which could turn them into a much more capable version often referred to as the ‘Super Sukhoi’.
The proposals are important because India needs to strengthen its fighter fleet while also trying to reduce its dependence on foreign countries for defence equipment.
Why Does India Need More Fighter Jets?
The Indian Air Force has fewer fighter squadrons than the number it officially wants.
The IAF is estimated to have around 29 to 31 active fighter squadrons, while its approved requirement is 42 squadrons.
In simple terms, India does not currently have as many fighter units as it would ideally need for its security requirements.
The situation has become more complicated after the retirement of older aircraft, including the MiG-21.
At the same time, India has to keep an eye on developments on both its western and northern borders.
China is increasing its use of modern fighter aircraft, including the J-20 stealth fighter. Pakistan is also adding newer fighter aircraft and weapons to its air force.
India’s own next-generation fighter, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), is still under development. This means India needs solutions for the period before large numbers of future Indian fighter jets become available.
That is where the Russian proposals become important.
So, What Is the Russian Su-57?
The Su-57 is Russia’s fifth-generation fighter aircraft.
But what does “fifth generation” actually mean?
In simple terms, these aircraft are designed to be harder for enemy radar to detect and are equipped with advanced sensors, electronic warfare systems and modern computers.
The aircraft is also designed to share information with other aircraft and military systems during combat.
For India, getting access to a fifth-generation fighter could help fill the gap before the country’s own AMCA becomes operational in significant numbers.
Russia has reportedly indicated that it is willing to discuss joint production and technology cooperation with India.
That could be important because India does not want to simply buy complete aircraft from another country. It has increasingly been looking for local manufacturing, maintenance and technology transfer.
What Makes the ‘Super Sukhoi’ Different?
The Super Sukhoi proposal is different from buying a completely new aircraft.
India already operates a large fleet of around 260 Su-30MKIs.
The idea is to extensively modernise these aircraft instead of replacing them.
The proposed programme has reportedly been valued at around $11 billion.
The upgraded aircraft could receive:
- New radar systems
- Modern electronic warfare equipment
- Improved avionics
- Better weapons
- Upgraded engines
- Improved communication and data-sharing systems
In simple words, India would take an aircraft it already has in large numbers and give it much more modern technology.
Why Upgrade the Su-30MKI Instead of Buying Only New Jets?
One major advantage is time.
India already has the Su-30MKI infrastructure, pilots, technicians, maintenance facilities and operational experience.
So, upgrading the existing fleet could be faster than building an entirely new fighter fleet from the beginning.
It could also allow India to improve the capability of a large number of aircraft that are already serving with the IAF.
This becomes particularly important when India is facing a shortage of fighter squadrons.
Su-57 vs Super Sukhoi: What Is the Difference?
The two proposals solve different problems.
The Su-57 would give India access to a newer generation of fighter technology.
The Super Sukhoi, meanwhile, would improve an aircraft India already operates in large numbers.
So, one can think of the proposals this way:
Su-57 = new-generation capability
Super Sukhoi = major upgrade to the existing fighter fleet
India could potentially use both approaches at the same time.
What About the ‘Kill Switch’ Debate?
Whenever India considers buying advanced fighter aircraft from another country, one question often comes up: Can the supplier remotely disable the aircraft?
This is sometimes described as a “kill switch”.
The idea that a foreign country can simply press a button and remotely switch off another country’s fighter jet should be treated carefully. There is no reason to assume that every imported fighter has such a literal remote shutdown mechanism.
However, there is a genuine issue behind the debate.
Modern fighter aircraft depend heavily on software, spare parts, technical support, weapons integration, maintenance and upgrades.
If relations between the buyer and supplier become extremely poor, access to some of these services could become difficult.
For India, this is one reason why technology transfer, local production and the ability to maintain aircraft inside the country are important.
Why Is China Part of This Story?
India’s fighter requirement cannot be looked at separately from China’s growing air power.
China has developed and deployed the J-20, its own fifth-generation fighter.
Beijing has also continued to strengthen its military infrastructure in areas close to India’s northern border.
Pakistan is also modernising its air force.
This means India has to think about both the quality and quantity of its fighter aircraft.
Having a few highly advanced fighters is not enough if the overall number of available aircraft remains too low.
Fighter Jets Are Only One Part of Air Defence
There is another important point.
Air power is not simply about buying the best fighter jet.
A modern air force needs several systems working together.
These include:
- Fighter aircraft
- Radar systems
- Airborne early-warning aircraft
- Electronic warfare systems
- Long-range missiles
- Ground-based air defence
- Secure communication networks
- Intelligence and surveillance systems
India’s S-400 air-defence systems are already part of this larger network.
The aim is therefore not just to buy a particular fighter but to build a system in which aircraft, radars, missiles and other military platforms can share information and work together.
Why Is This Russia Proposal Important Now?
The timing matters.
India is trying to strengthen its air force while its own next-generation fighter programme is still under development.
At the same time, China and Pakistan are continuing to improve their military aircraft and weapons.
Russia’s proposal therefore offers India two possible routes.
The Su-57 could provide access to fifth-generation fighter technology.
The Super Sukhoi could improve the performance of India’s existing Su-30MKI fleet.
For India, the bigger question is not simply “Which fighter should we buy?”
It is about how quickly the IAF can increase its strength while also building India’s own defence manufacturing and technology capabilities.
If New Delhi moves ahead with these proposals, the impact would go beyond buying aircraft. It could influence India’s fighter fleet, defence manufacturing, technology transfer and long-term military strategy.
