Roving Periscope: Ahead of Putin’s December visit, Russia offers Su-57 to India
Virendra Pandit
New Delhi: Ahead of President Vladimir Putin’s high-profile India visit in the first week of December 2025, Russia has said it is ready to support New Delhi’s future fighter aircraft requirements, and is willing to offer technology transfer for the state-of-the-art Su-57 fifth generation stealth fighter aircraft, without restrictions, the media reported on Wednesday.
Moscow also said it “completely accepts” any of New Delhi’s defence-related demands.
During his first India visit, expected on December 4 and 5, after Russia’s war in Ukraine began on February 24, 2022, President Putin will participate in the bilateral India-Russia Annual Summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Amid fast-changing geopolitical dynamics, President Putin’s top aide Nikolai Patrushev on Monday held discussions with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, focusing on key aspects of the India–Russia relationship.
Russia’s assurance came as Indian and Russian officials held several interactions, including External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s meeting with Russian President Vladmir Putin in Moscow on Tuesday.
In a related development, speaking on the sidelines of the Dubai Air Show 2025, Sergey Chemezov, the CEO of Russian government-owned defence conglomerate Rostec, underlined the long-standing defence partnership between the two countries. “Even when India was under sanctions, we supplied the country with weapons to ensure its security.”
Russia remains open to any new requirements from New Delhi, he said.
When asked about possible requests for more S-400 systems or the Su-57, he said “Whatever India requires, we are here to support.”
At the Dubai air show, a senior representative of Russia’s state arms exporter Rosoboronexport outlined what Moscow is offering India for future air combat programmes.
About Su-57, he said, “… Rosoboronexport offers to India both license production of air weapons for future generation aircraft and integration of Indian weapons.”
Russia is offering India the Su-57 produced in Russia, along with a pathway to shift production to India in stages. As part of this, he said, Rosoboronexport is offering “technology transfer” and “learning of few generation technologies, including engines, optics, AESA radar, AI elements, low signature technologies and modern air weapons.”
Russia is also willing to work with India on a two-seat version of the aircraft. The proposal includes “joint development of a two-seat modification of the Su-57E or FGFA.”
The offer would allow India to manufacture critical components locally without concerns over sanctions affecting supply chains. The proposal also ensures “a gradual increase in the level of license production,” and provides long-term scope for upgrades through improvements in software and other systems.
The offer is an extension of a defence partnership that has lasted more than six decades. The cooperation has shown “the reliability and transparency of the Russian side to technology transfer without restrictions and possible sanctions like other countries do.”
Meanwhile, during his Moscow visit, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with Putin, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and attended the SCO Head of Government Summit.
In New Delhi, Patrushev, Chairman of the Maritime Board of the Russian Federation, called on PM Narendra Modi on Tuesday.
They exchanged views on strengthening cooperation in the maritime domain, including new opportunities for collaboration in connectivity, skill development, shipbuilding and blue economy.
PM Modi conveyed his warm greetings to President Putin and said that he looked forward to hosting him in India next month.
Patrushev discussed with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval the key aspects of the India–Russia relationship. He also met Vice Admiral Biswajit Dasgupta, India’s National Maritime Security Coordinator, as part of the wider strategic consultations.
President Putin’s much-awaited visit is expected to deliver major outcomes aimed at strengthening the two countries’ long-standing strategic partnership.
To prepare the groundwork for the Putin visit, Dr. Jaishankar discussed various issues with his Russian counterpart, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, in Moscow, including the agreements expected to be announced next month.
At the bilateral annual summit, PM Modi and President Putin will review the full spectrum of the “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.” India and Russia hold these summits every year, alternating between the two countries. Twenty-two 22 such meetings have been held so far.
Prime Minister Modi last travelled to Moscow for the summit in July 2024.
