As AMCA Takes Shape, Putin Revives Su-57 Fifth-Generation Fighter Offer For India

Russian

President Vladimir Putin has said Moscow remains ready to jointly develop and supply the Su-57 fifth-generation stealth fighter aircraft with India, reviving a proposal that New Delhi had earlier chosen not to pursue. Speaking to international media on the sidelines of the St Petersburg International Economic Forum, Putin said Russia had originally envisioned the stealth fighter as a collaborative programme with India."As far as the Su-57 goes, at one point we proposed to our Indian friends to work together on this technology," Putin said. Describing the aircraft as one of Russia's premier military platforms, he added, "It's fifth-generation technology. I think it's the best in the world as of now."

'The Aircraft Could Have Been Our Joint Project'

Putin acknowledged that India had previously decided to wait while Russia developed the platform independently. "But back then, our Indian friends said: 'Go ahead on your own, and then we will see — maybe we'll join,'" he said."The aircraft could have been our joint project. We built it independently, but we are ready to work with India in this field — to supply this aircraft and to keep developing it. We don't have any issues with it, any limitations."His comments are likely to renew speculation over whether India could consider the Su-57 as an interim solution while its indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme continues to mature.

More Than Just A Fighter Deal

Putin indicated that the offer extends beyond aircraft deliveries and includes future technological cooperation. "The same goes for air defence systems," he said, signalling that Moscow remains open to expanding military collaboration across multiple domains.

The Su-57 is Russia's premier stealth fighter and is designed for air superiority and precision strike missions. It features low-observable characteristics, supercruise capability, advanced avionics and the ability to carry a wide range of air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons.India was previously associated with the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) programme based on the Su-57 platform before stepping away over concerns relating to costs, technology transfer and performance requirements.

Putin Praises India's Strategic Autonomy

Beyond defence cooperation, Putin strongly backed India's independent foreign policy and criticised attempts by other countries to pressure New Delhi over its long-standing partnership with Moscow. He described India as a "great country" and reiterated that bilateral ties are built on decades of cooperation."That is how I characterise this relationship — a special privileged strategic partnership," Putin said. "It did not occur yesterday or one or five years ago. This is something we have been working on for decades." The Russian leader also suggested that external attempts to weaken India-Russia cooperation were harmful not only to bilateral relations but also to broader international stability.

What It Means For India

Putin's remarks come at a time when the Indian Air Force is pursuing multiple modernisation programmes to maintain its qualitative edge amid evolving regional security challenges. While New Delhi remains committed to indigenous fifth-generation fighter development through the AMCA project, Russia's renewed offer could provide India with additional options as it seeks to bridge future capability gaps.Whether India revisits the Su-57 proposal remains uncertain. However, Putin's statement makes clear that Moscow continues to view New Delhi as a potential long-term partner not just for procurement, but for the joint development of advanced combat aviation technologies.