Russian President Vladimir Putin has once again arrived in India. His plane landed at Delhi's Palam Air Force Station early today to attend the 18th BRICS Summit. The bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Russian President will take place tomorrow, September 11th, and this meeting is being closely watched not only by India and Russia but by the entire world. The reason is the fifth-generation stealth fighter jet, the Su-57.
The Kremlin has already made it clear before this visit that this time the focus will not be solely on oil and trade, but on defense strategy for the next 20 years.
Putin's Visit and the BRICS Summit Agenda
India is chairing BRICS this year. The 18th BRICS Summit will be held on September 12th and 13th at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. It will include Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and new members: Iran, the UAE, Egypt, and Ethiopia.
But a day before the summit begins, Putin and Modi will have a one-on-one meeting. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said at a press conference on Tuesday, "We are looking forward to the bilateral meeting between President Putin and Prime Minister Modi on September 11th. This is a very deep tradition and a very close cooperation. We have some very good military equipment, some of the best in the world, and we are ready to share it with our Indian partners."
Citing the example of the BrahMos, Peskov said that Russia has now moved beyond just buying and selling with India. Now we jointly develop weapons, improve them, and sell them to the world. The Su-57 has been offered on this very model.
What is the Su-57 and why does India want it?
The Su-57 is Russia's fifth-generation, single-seat, twin-engine stealth fighter. It is known as the Felon in NATO. Its key features include radar evasion, supersonic cruise, super maneuverability, and the ability to carry missiles like the BrahMos in an internal weapon bay.
There are three major reasons why this deal is crucial for the Indian Air Force right now:
First, the shortage of squadrons. The Air Force's approved strength is 42 squadrons, but we currently have only 31. The MiG-21s have been retired, and the MiG-29s and Mirage 2000s are scheduled to be phased out by 2030.
Second, neighbors' preparations. China already operates more than 200 J-20 stealth fighters and is now working on the J-35 and sixth-generation J-36. Pakistan has almost finalized a deal to purchase 40 Shenyang J-35s from China. In such a scenario, India's stealth fighter gap poses the biggest threat.
Third - Delay in AMCA. India's own fifth-generation project, AMCA, is currently in the design phase. According to DRDO, the first prototype is possible only by 2028 and induction after 2035. Until then, a stop-gap fighter is needed.
75 Fighter Jets and Make in India Plan
According to defense sources and Russian media, Russia has offered India a substantial package. It consists of three components:
1. Direct purchase of 40 to 75 Su-57E fighter jets. Russia says that after the experience of the Ukraine war, the upgraded version of the Su-57, the Su-57M, is now more combat-proven.
2. Make in India at the HAL Nashik plant. Just as the Su-30MKI was manufactured in Nashik, the proposal is to produce the Su-57 in India. Russia has stated that there will be no restrictions on technology transfer.
3. Joint development of engines and weapons. Discussions are underway to integrate the AL-51 engine and BrahMos-NG into the Su-57.
If this deal goes through, its cost is estimated to be around $40-45 billion, which is significantly cheaper than the Rafale and F-35. The US has offered the F-35, but has refused to provide technology transfer and source code, while Russia is willing to provide the full technology.
What is the connection with the 2016 Goa Summit?
You reminded me correctly. During the 8th BRICS Summit in Goa in 2016, India signed a $5.43 billion deal to purchase five S-400 Triumph air defense systems during the meeting between Putin and Modi. Even then, the US threatened CAATSA sanctions, but India took a decision that was in its own interest.
Today, the S-400 is India's most potent air defense weapon. Its role was also discussed during Operation Sindoor. Now, exactly 10 years later, the Su-57 story is being retold from the same BRICS forum. Defense experts are calling it the S-400 Moment 2.0.
FGFA Project - An Old Story
Few people know that the Su-57 is not new to India. In 2007, India and Russia launched a joint project called FGFA. The goal was to develop a unique fighter for India based on the Su-57. India invested $295 million over 11 years.
However, in 2018, India withdrew from the project. The reasons were: engine performance, questions about stealth capability, cost overruns, and Russia's reluctance to transfer technology.
Now Putin himself has said, "We proposed the joint development of the Su-57 to our Indian friends. Our Indian friends said, 'Let's see. We developed it ourselves.' We are still ready to work on it, supply it, and further develop it with India. There are no restrictions here."
This means that Russia has corrected its past mistakes and come up with a new, significant offer.
Not just weapons in BRICS
Besides defense, there are four other major issues at this meeting. First, crude oil trade. India still buys 35% of its oil from Russia. Despite US pressure, India has continued to purchase it; now there will be discussion about long-term discounts on this.
Second, rupee-ruble trade. To reduce dependence on the dollar, both countries are working on a BRICS payment system.
Third, accelerated work on Units 5 and 6 of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant and a new deal on small modular reactors.
Fourth, the Ukrainian war. India has consistently championed peace, and Putin considers Modi's role on this issue crucial.
This visit is not just about a fighter jet deal, but the next chapter in India-Russia's friendship, which dates back to 1971. If the Su-57 deal is finalized, it could become the Indian Air Force's biggest strength for the next 30 years.
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