As Russian President Vladimir Putin prepares for his visit to India next month, Moscow has extended an unprecedented offer to New Delhi: unrestricted access to its cutting-edge Su-57 fifth-generation fighter technology. This move could dramatically reshape India’s air combat capabilities and solidify a long-standing defence partnership.
In a significant gesture, Rostec CEO Sergey Chemezov announced that Russia is ready to deliver Su-57 jets to India, followed by a gradual transition of production to Indian facilities. This offer extends beyond the Su-57, with reports indicating that Moscow is also prepared to include the single-engine Su-75 Checkmate stealth fighter in its outreach. Such an offer is historic—no country has previously granted India this level of access to advanced defence technology.
Chemezov, speaking to ANI at the Dubai Air Show 2025, emphasised the depth of the India-Russia partnership: “India and Russia have been partners for many years. Even when India faced sanctions, we supplied weapons to ensure its security… Today, we continue that approach, providing whatever military equipment India needs and safeguarding our shared interests.”
The scope of Russia’s offer is comprehensive. It includes access to the entire fifth-generation ecosystem, covering engines, sensors, stealth materials, and other critical components. A senior Rosoboronexport official highlighted that Russia is willing to transfer technologies and expertise in areas such as engines, optics, AESA radar, AI-enabled systems, low-observability materials, and next-generation air weapons. This would enable India to eventually build advanced stealth fighters independently.
Retired Indian Air Force Squadron Leader and defence analyst Vijainder K Thakur told The Eurasia Times that Russia’s renewed push is almost certain to include the Su-75 Checkmate. He noted that Moscow has already shown readiness to shift Su-75 production to a partner nation, and India remains the most practical candidate. Local manufacturing of the Checkmate, he added, could bridge India’s fifth-generation capability gap at a manageable cost while opening up significant export prospects, similar to the success of the BrahMos programme.
“Local manufacturing of the Checkmate could bridge India’s fifth-generation capability gap at a manageable cost while opening up significant export prospects,” Thakur said.
President Putin’s upcoming visit to India in December for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit is expected to feature substantial defence-related announcements. Diplomatic preparations are already underway, with Putin’s top aide and Chairman of Russia’s Maritime Board, Nikolai Patrushev, recently meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. Both sides reviewed cooperation in the maritime domain and reiterated their commitment to enhancing joint capabilities, setting the stage for what could be a pivotal moment in India-Russia defence relations.
As Putin and Modi convene, the defence community will be watching closely to see how this historic offer unfolds and what it means for the future of India’s air combat capabilities and broader strategic interests.