Russia rolls out upgraded Sukhoi Su-57 amid India’s hunt for next-gen fighter aircraft | Watch

A Sukhoi Su-57 aircraft

• Russia unveils upgraded Su-57 stealth fighter with enhanced systems and weapons
• Russia offers India full tech transfer and local production for Su-57 jets.
• India urgently needs 35–40 new fighter jets annually to meet its airpower goals

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Russia has rolled out an upgraded version of its fifth-generation Su-57 stealth fighter, even as India evaluates foreign options to plug critical gaps in its future airpower plans.

Russia’s state-owned technology corporation Rostec said the latest Su-57 aircraft handed over to the Russian military feature enhanced onboard systems and a new weapons configuration that significantly expands the jet’s combat role.

“To fulfill the targets set by the Russian Defense Ministry for the supply of highly sought-after weapons and military equipment to the troops, crews of the Russian Aerospace Forces have accepted the Su-57 aircraft in their new technical configuration,” the Rostec press service quoted a Su-57 pilot as saying.

“The aircraft has already proven itself during the special military operation. The new technical configuration will provide for the expansion of the range of missions for which this aircraft type is deployed. The advanced capabilities incorporated into the aircraft armament system make it possible to use new types of aircraft weapons,” the pilot added.

The Sukhoi Su-57 is designed as a multirole fifth-generation fighter capable of engaging air, ground and sea targets. It can operate round the clock, including in adverse weather and heavy electronic warfare environments.

Russia Gets Aerial Upgrade: Batch Of Enhanced Su-57s Delivered

The fifth-generation fighter jets handed to the Russian military by Rostec feature updated weapons and onboard systems. “We're not just mass-producing aircraft; we're constantly developing them based on the needs… pic.twitter.com/szdtegX200 — RT_India (@RT_India_news) February 9, 2026

Vadim Badekha, CEO of United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), which is part of Rostec, said the platform continues to evolve.

“The fifth-generation Su-57 aircraft system is the best aircraft in its class, but we’re not resting on our laurels. The fighter has undergone a tremendous evolution and its improvement continues today – the aircraft’s weapons and systems capabilities are being upgraded,” Badekha said.

“This fighter allows us to solve the most important tasks today, demonstrating efficiency and excellent maneuverability and combat capabilities,” he added.

The rollout comes amid renewed Russian outreach to India, with Moscow publicly offering unrestricted technology transfer for the Su-57 if New Delhi chooses the aircraft for its future fighter requirements. Russian officials have described Indian requirements as “completely acceptable.”

At the Dubai Airshow, Russia made what officials described as one of its most expansive technology offers to India. Badekha said all Indian concerns over the Su-57 had been taken “positively” and that demands from New Delhi were “completely acceptable.”

A senior Rosoboronexport official said Russia has proposed supplying Su-57 aircraft built in Russia initially, followed by phased local production in India. The offer includes technology transfer, licensed production of air weapons and what the official described as “technological learning of few generation technologies, including engines, optics, AESA radar, AI elements, low signature technologies, and modern air weapons.”

The official added that Russia is also open to developing a two-seat Su-57 variant for India, with an emphasis on local manufacturing of critical components to reduce risks linked to sanctions.

The timing is significant for India, as the Indian Air Force faces an urgent need to induct 35–40 fighter jets annually over the next two decades under its Roadmap 2047. While India is pushing ahead with its indigenous AMCA fifth-generation fighter programme, it is also assessing overseas options to bridge capability gaps.

With defence cooperation expected to dominate the upcoming Modi–Putin summit, officials say discussions could include potential Su-57 collaboration, additional S-400 deliberations, possible engagement on the S-500 system, expanded joint production of Su-30MKI and T-90 platforms, and fresh updates on the BrahMos programme.