The Indian Air Force needs fighter jets to fill its fighter gap. After retiring the MiG-21, the Air Force is struggling with a shortage of combat aircraft. Talking about neighboring countries, India’s neighbor Pakistan has fifth-generation fighter planes, while another neighbor, China, is testing sixth-generation fighter jets. Meanwhile, Russia has offered India its fifth-generation stealth fighter jet, the Su-57.
According to reports, the Indian Air Force is evaluating the Russian stealth fighter for adoption. However, experts say that the Sukhoi-57 could be an expensive strategic mistake for India. Notably, the Indian Air Force had rejected it once before.
It is worth noting that the Su-57 is not new to India. The Indian Air Force was involved in its development and had invested around $290 million, but later withdrew. At that time, the aircraft was found lacking in fifth-generation features. Its stealth capability was less than the standards of the US F-22 or F-35.
Interestingly, the stealth fighter that Russia is now pushing to sell, it itself does not fully trust.
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