# Russian Stealth Jet Pitched as Interim Fix for Depleted Combat Squadrons

> Facing a shortage of fighter squadrons and fifth-generation stealth jets emerging across borders, a proposal has surfaced suggesting the acquisition and domestic assembly of Russia's Su-57E.

**Type:** article · **Category:** India · **Published:** 2026-11-04 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/national/havai-suraksha-ke-ghatate-bere-ke-bicha-panchavin-pirhi-ke-russian-laraku-jet-ka-naya-vikalpa-56751 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** Indian Air Force, Su-57E, Stealth Fighter Jet, Combat Squadrons, AMCA, Tejas Mk1A, Defence Procurement

A critical operational dilemma has emerged regarding the operational strength of the Indian Air Force and its long-term combat preparedness. While the force continues to operate well below its sanctioned fighter force levels, regional adversaries are rapidly expanding their operational inventory of fifth-generation stealth aircraft. Amid intense discussions surrounding long-term aircraft procurement and fleet modernisation, Russian defence circles have renewed efforts to present the advanced Su-57E stealth multirole fighter as a viable platform for India. Strategic analysts point out that relying solely on 4.5-generation fighters may leave significant tactical gaps in contested air corridors.

## Fleet Deficits and the Operational Squadrons Gap
The authorised establishment of the Indian Air Force mandates a strength of 42 fighter squadrons to handle simultaneous regional challenges. However, the force is currently operating with just 29 active squadrons, representing a substantial shortfall that strains operational readiness. The phased retirement of legacy aircraft types without concurrent, rapid inductions has compounded this numerical pressure over successive procurement cycles.

This operational reality forces military planners to manage a delicate balance. On one track, the air force must rebuild its sheer force structure to maintain adequate air defence coverage, while on the other, it must acquire frontline platforms with low-observable characteristics, internal weapons carriage, and advanced sensor suites designed for modern warfare. Military observers stress that simply fielding larger numbers of fourth or 4.5-generation jets cannot fully match the tactical leverage offered by stealth-equipped platforms capable of long-range engagement.

## Fifth-Generation Expansion Across Regional Borders
Regional air forces on India's northern and western borders are advancing their fifth-generation aviation capabilities at an accelerated pace. China has successfully inducted the J-20 stealth fighter into active operational units and continues expanding its frontline numbers. Simultaneously, development and flight trials of the J-35 stealth platform are proceeding, with naval aviation variants earmarked for deployment aboard the newly commissioned aircraft carrier Fujian.

Across the western border, Pakistan has pursued operational cooperation aimed at acquiring the J-35 stealth platform from China. If realised, this move would present fifth-generation operational challenges across multiple sectors. Aircraft equipped with low radar cross-sections, advanced active electronically scanned array radars, and ultra-long-range air-to-air missiles possess significant tactical advantages over non-stealth fighters, irrespective of the latter's fleet size. Consequently, multiple defence analysts argue that expediting the introduction of stealth-capable platforms into the Indian Air Force remains a pressing priority.

## The Direct Purchase and Co-Production Model
In response to these fleet dynamics, Russian defence circles have floated a structured procurement roadmap centred on the Su-57E. The proposed concept suggests an initial off-the-shelf purchase of approximately 50 Su-57E airframes, followed by a phased industrial programme to licence-build an additional 450 units domestically within Indian manufacturing facilities.

This initiative is framed not merely as a conventional arms transaction, but as an expansive industrial tie-up designed to integrate with India's domestic defence production ecosystem. Proponents highlight that Indian aerospace facilities already possess extensive infrastructure for assembling, maintaining, and overhauling the Su-30MKI. Because the Su-57 was engineered by the same design bureau responsible for the Su-30MKI, existing logistics pipelines, technician training bases, and depot-level maintenance facilities could theoretically be adapted to support the new platform. It must be noted, however, that the suggested figure of 50 imported units and 450 licence-built jets reflects commentary originating within Russian media circles rather than a bilateral agreement approved by Indian authorities.

## The Development Horizon for Indigenous Stealth
India is pursuing its long-term stealth requirements through the indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) initiative. While this indigenous project is vital for technological sovereignty and indigenous aerospace design maturity, it operates along an extensive developmental timeline that spans well into the next decade.

Under the existing project schedule, the maiden flight of an AMCA prototype is targeted for the 2028-29 timeframe. Full-scale series production and formal squadron-level inductions are expected to materialize only after 2035. This substantial temporal window forms the primary rationale underpinning the Russian Su-57E proposal, with advocates arguing that an off-the-shelf stealth acquisition could serve as an interim bridge until indigenous series production reaches sufficient volume.

## Industrial Bottlenecks Facing Domestic Fighter Lines
Efforts to expand the domestic fighter manufacturing base have also encountered operational headwinds. While attempts are underway to ramp up the production rate of the indigenous Tejas Mk1A, ongoing supply disruptions involving vital components have moderated delivery schedules.

The Tejas manufacturing line has faced notable delays in securing F404 turbofan engines from American supplier GE, alongside integration tasks associated with Israeli-supplied AESA radar units. These dependencies underscore the reality that despite indigenising airframe manufacturing, domestic assembly lines remain contingent on overseas sub-system deliveries.

Furthermore, naval testing demonstrated that the carrier-borne prototype of the single-engine Tejas was not fully suited to the rigorous operating demands of aircraft carriers. This led to the launch of the dedicated, twin-engine Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF) initiative for naval aviation. Consequently, the operational induction horizon for an indigenous deck-based fighter has also extended further into the future.

Given these constraints, the fundamental strategic question confronting defence leadership extends beyond selecting a foreign platform. It involves carefully balancing support for indigenous development against the immediate necessity of preserving air combat parity.

## What this means for you
Discussions regarding fighter strength and stealth acquisition have direct consequences for sovereign defence budgeting, industrial manufacturing, and regional aerospace readiness.

- **Across India:** National defence expenditure may increasingly prioritize urgent aerial fleet modernization over other sectors. This reallocation directly influences capital outlay allocations and long-term industrial funding pipelines.
- **Aerospace Industry:** Adopting large-scale domestic assembly models could transfer manufacturing techniques to local aerospace hubs. Conversely, pure off-the-shelf imports could prolong dependence on foreign component supply chains.
- **National Border Security:** Maintaining modern combat capabilities ensures deterring aerial incursions along disputed frontier corridors. Closing the stealth technology gap guarantees credible tactical balance across neighboring borders.
- **Indigenous Projects:** Any acquisition of an interim foreign fighter impacts funding allocation and industrial focus for homegrown programmes like AMCA. Balancing foreign acquisitions ensures national research initiatives continue moving forward.

## Why this happened
The strategic debate is driven by a pronounced shortfall in active fighter squadrons alongside rapid regional developments in low-observable combat aviation.

- **Depleted Squadron Strength:** The Indian Air Force operates only 29 active combat squadrons against an authorized requirement of 42. Successive retirements of older airframes coupled with gradual induction rates created this operational void.
- **Regional Stealth Proliferation:** China has deployed frontline J-20 units while actively testing the J-35, and Pakistan has shown concrete interest in obtaining J-35 airframes. The potential presence of low-observable fighters on two fronts diminishes the tactical edge of non-stealth fleets.
- **Indigenous Timeline Realities:** The indigenous AMCA is scheduled for a maiden prototype flight around 2028-29, with operational induction occurring only past 2035. Supply issues involving Tejas Mk1A engines and radar components have further extended timelines, prompting scrutiny of interim solutions.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. How many combat squadrons is the Indian Air Force currently operating?
The Indian Air Force operates 29 active combat squadrons against a sanctioned strength of 42 squadrons.

### 2. What procurement framework was proposed regarding the Su-57E?
The proposal suggests an initial purchase of roughly 50 aircraft followed by domestic licensed assembly of around 450 units in India.

### 3. What is the expected induction timeframe for the indigenous AMCA?
The prototype maiden flight is targeted for 2028-29, with full operational fleet inductions anticipated after 2035.

### 4. What key bottlenecks have slowed the Tejas Mk1A programme?
Production pace has been influenced by delayed shipments of GE F404 engines and complex integration of Israeli AESA radars.

### 5. Which fifth-generation stealth jets are emerging across regional frontiers?
China has deployed J-20 fighters and is developing the J-35, while Pakistan is pursuing cooperation to acquire the J-35.

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