India mulls possibility to buy Russia’s Su-57 and Rafale fighters
According to the publication, the IAF is in dire need of an increase in the number of fighter squadrons
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is considering the possibility of purchasing three to six squadrons of Russia’s Sukhoi-57 fifth generation fighters to make up for the shortage of combat aircraft in its ranks. In addition two to six squadrons of Rafale 4th++ generation fighters may also be purchased.
According to a publication, the IAF is in dire need of an increase in the number of fighter squadrons to 45 squadrons as authorized. In fact the authorization itself needs to be increased to 63 squadrons for a two and half front War.
It is envisaged that by end 2030, IAF is going to add only five new squadrons of Tejas Mk1 A and around four squadrons of Tejas Mk2. This will bring the total squadron strength to only 40 squadrons (15x SU30MKI, 6x Jaguars, 3x Mirage 2000, 3x MiG29, 2x Rafales and 11x Tejas ).
Hence India is considering Russian and French fighters as options ‘until the
indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) becomes production-ready by 2032.
However, though no formal discussions have yet begun with either Russia or France, sources indicate that talks have been going on with both. There are three major scenarios being worked out for Govt to Govt purchases :
Likelyhood of purchase of 36 x SU 57 squadrons from Russia and make 84 fighters in India of SU57 MKI standard. Later upgrade the 36 purchased initially.
A similar deal with France for purchase of 18x Rafales from France and make in India another 54x Rafales.
A third option may be for outright purchase of 60x SU57 and 54x Rafales. Later upgrade the SU57 to MKI standards in India itself.
The IAF will submit its proposal in two months to the Indian government, and thereafter the Cabinet Committee Security will take the final decision.
According to them, France’s Rafale fighters are real competitors for the Su-57 and everything depends on the price and other goodies thrown in. These fighters under an intergovernmental agreement between New Delhi and Moscow/Paris instead of announcing an international tender. Under this agreement, India can buy upto 108 Rafale aircraft and 120 Sukhois 57, most of which will be manufactured at Indian enterprises.
Rafale fighters took part in the Indian military operation Sindoor against Pakistan on May 7-10 to launch missile strikes on terrorist bases in this neighboring country and also on bases inside Pakistan Occupied Kashmir.
The Su-57 is the only fifth-generation fighter in the world that has proven its effectiveness in countering Western air defense systems in real combat conditions.
The aircraft is capable of using a wide range of precision-guided weapons and is distinguished by its low visibility to enemy radars.
In February 2025, the Su-57E fighter was presented at the Indian aerospace exhibition Air India. The SU57 MKIs in fact will be a much superior version.
