India is making strategic moves to elevate its military capabilities, particularly in air power, as it works to match global superpowers like the U.S. and China. With neighboring rivals China and Pakistan already operating fifth-generation fighter jets, India is now preparing to not only acquire such advanced aircraft but also manufacture them domestically.
In a major defence breakthrough, India has cleared a key agreement with Russia for the procurement and production of modern fighter jets. Under this deal, Russia will transfer full technology of its Su-57E fifth-generation stealth fighters to India. These aircraft will be manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) at its Nashik plant, which previously built over 220 Su-30MKI jets. The initial batch of 20–30 Su-57E jets will be delivered directly from Russia, with local production expected to begin within the next 3–4 years. By 2030, the Indian Air Force (IAF) could see 60–70 of these cutting-edge fighters added to its fleet.
In addition, Russia is set to supply 114 Su-35M multi-role fighter jets directly to India under the IAF’s MRFA (Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft) program. These 4.5-generation jets share up to 80% of their technology with India’s existing Su-30MKI fleet, enabling a smoother induction process with minimal training requirements for pilots and ground staff.
As of now, the Indian Air Force operates approximately 620–650 fighter aircraft across 30–32 squadrons—below the target of 42 squadrons. The current fleet includes Su-30MKIs (Russia/India), Rafales (France), Tejas Mk1 (India), Mirage 2000s, MiG-29s, and aging Jaguar jets.
With the induction of Su-57Es and Su-35Ms, along with the indigenous Tejas Mk2 and upcoming AMCA program, India is poised to significantly enhance its aerial combat capabilities and move closer to achieving self-reliance in advanced defence manufacturing.
