India Declines Russia’s Offer to Purchase Su-57E Fighter Jets

India has rejected Russia’s proposal to purchase Su-57E fifth-generation fighter jets, opting instead to modernize its existing fleet and push forward its own stealth fighter program.Indian Defense Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh said New Delhi will focus on upgrading its domestically produced Su-30MKI fighters and advancing its domestic Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program instead, according to United24Media.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official.Singh did not name the Su-57 directly, but said the country had no plans to acquire a “new version of the Sukhois,” according to remarks reported by India Today and cited by Aerospace Global News.Russia’s offer included technology transferMoscow had offered India the Su-57E along with licensed domestic production and technology transfer, but New Delhi turned down the proposal following the earlier breakdown of the two countries’ joint Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft program, United24Media reported.The rejection leaves Algeria as the only publicly identified export customer for the Su-57E, although Russia maintains it has reached agreements with other, undisclosed buyers.India doubles down on its existing fleetRather than adding a new Russian aircraft type, India is putting its resources into the roughly 260 Su-30MKIs already in service with the Indian Air Force, Aerospace Global News reported.New Delhi is reportedly preparing a major overhaul of the jets, known as the Super Sukhoi upgrade, adding new avionics, electronic warfare systems, weapons and additional navigation equipment. Other Topics of Interest Syria To Cut Russian Oil Imports per US Request Russian crude makes up roughly 60,000 barrels a day of Syria’s oil supply, a dependence Damascus is now looking to shed. India’s Defense Ministry has also ordered 12 additional Su-30MKIs from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, at cost of around 135 billion rupees (approximately $1.42 billion).AMCA and Rafale production move forwardIndia’s connection to the Su-57 dates back more than a decade, when Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and Russia’s Rosoboronexport signed a $295 million design contract in December 2010 as part of the joint fighter program, according to Aerospace Global News.However, India withdrew in 2018 over concerns about the jet’s stealth performance, its electronic warfare systems and the scope of technology being shared, along with rising costs and delays.A broader Russian defense relationship continuesNevertheless, the decision does not signal a direct break with Moscow.India still operates a large inventory of Russian-made aircraft, submarines, tanks and other air defense systems. It also continues its joint programs, such as the BrahMos missile, Aerospace Global News reported.Analysts cited by the outlet noted that Russia’s growing economic reliance on China – India’s strategic rival – has added to New Delhi’s caution about depending too heavily on Moscow for future defense needs.Beyond the military, India’s ties with Russia extend into the energy sector as well.India, the world’s third-largest oil importer, continues importing crude from Moscow, even as the EU imposed its 21st sanctions package on Russia and as Ukrainian strikes fueled Russia’s domestic fuel crisis.Earlier reports suggest Russia was importing 60,000 metric tons of gasoline from India – likely via the tankers named Agni and Varg – and about 50,000 metric tons of AI-92 gasoline from Kazakhstan.Meanwhile, private Chinese refineries are reportedly purchasing Russian crude and negotiating with Iran for more due to supply disruptions sparked by the conflict in the Middle East. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 97% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.