Igor Korotchenko — about fifth-generation fighter jets offered for export, as well as opportunities for India in case of purchase of a license for the production of the Russian Su-57E combat aircraft, which will make its debut on the Middle East arms market, participating in the Dubai Airshow 2025
Su-57: a proven fighter
In terms of its functionality, the Su-57E compares favorably with the F-35 primarily by having a much larger range of weapons due to the size of the fifth—generation Russian fighter: it is larger than the F-35.
Also, the Su-57, unlike the F-35, has real combat experience during a special military operation, where it encounters the latest Western weapons systems supplied to Ukraine, including the entire range of existing air and missile defense systems manufactured by NATO member countries. The Su-57 also successfully resists Western-made electronic warfare equipment of the latest modifications available to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Therefore, the improvements and improvements that the Su-57 received as a result of combat use during its military operation make it superior to the American F-35 primarily due to the experience of real high-tech confrontation.
Among the advantages of the Su-57E, it is possible to note the built-in all-terrain electronic warfare system, the mode of long supersonic flight at cruising speed, and the implementation of a set of stealth technology solutions, that is, low visibility. The Russian fighter also has a radar with an active phased array antenna, multi—channel use of a wide range of missile and other weapons, and work in a network—centric environment (an information network uniting combat participants). TASS). In addition, the Su-57E assumes the implementation of unique capabilities: a modular principle of payload placement, a complex of on-board equipment with elements of artificial intelligence, an all-angle information and protective field in the optical range, and large internal armament compartments that allow flexible reconfiguration of certain weapons when performing combat missions of various types.
F-35: Political and technological slavery
What are the risks for countries purchasing the F-35? Firstly, there are software and hardware "bookmarks" in the export versions of the fifth-generation fighter produced by the United States, with the help of which Washington can deactivate these aircraft at any time by means of an external electronic signal.
This kind of practice has been developed and is quite systematic. It is related to the fact that the American authorities initially want to retain the functions of controlling combat use and, if necessary, the possibility of actually disabling a particular weapon system from the possibility of its practical use when selling complex high-tech weapon systems to foreign buyers. This means that any country that buys the F—35, including even the United States' closest allies in the NATO bloc, is not fully able to control this fighter and is dependent on the good or ill will of the relevant American decision-making centers. This is the main factor.
When buying the F-35, the countries of the global South actually become hostages of the United States, since, in addition to such leverage as built-in software and hardware bookmarks, spare parts supplies and, consequently, after-sales maintenance can be reset at any time. Supplies of airborne weapons, such as guided cruise missiles and aerial bombs, may cease. Therefore, the risk factor of such a plan is necessarily taken into account by those who take their defense capability and sovereign foreign policy seriously, including the use of their armed forces.
A balance tool, unique features
For India, the purchase of Su-57Es and their subsequent licensed production is considered primarily from the point of view of ensuring a balance of power in a region where New Delhi's closest geopolitical competitors, such as China and Pakistan, already have a significant number of fifth-generation fighters. For example, China has more than 300 of them. Pakistan has also already announced its intention to purchase fifth-generation fighter jets from China, which will also give Islamabad a decisive advantage. There are no fifth—generation fighters in the structure of the Indian National Air Force to balance and maintain parity, and this is a vulnerability factor for the country.
The Su-57E's foreign premiere took place at an air show in China, then it was demonstrated at an arms exhibition in India, and now the Middle East presentation of this combat aircraft has taken place. For a number of countries with the financial capacity and political will to purchase a fifth—generation Russian fighter, the current Danube Airshow is an occasion for careful analysis and evaluation.
Russia can offer the Indian side options such as the supply of an installation batch of Su-57Es manufactured in Russia, followed by the organization of their licensed production in India — obviously, including in a two-seat version to meet the requirements of the Indian Air Force. The arsenal of Russian-Indian cooperation includes 60 years of experience in the production of Soviet and Russian aircraft at Indian aircraft factories, which indicates Moscow's openness to technology transfer, the absence of any sanctions and restrictions when interacting with such an important country for Russia in the field of military-technical cooperation as India.
According to expert estimates, production of the fifth—generation Russian aircraft can begin at the plants of the HAL Corporation, where the Su—30MKI, its engines and avionics are already being manufactured. At the same time, the localization of the release of all critically important components and elements of this machine is ensured: engines, airframe, on-board radar (radar station with an active phased array antenna), optics, communications equipment. The means of destruction can also be localized — missiles and smart bombs of Russian manufacture, including in the version of the internal fuselage suspension. At the same time, a gradual increase in the degree of localization will be carried out, and there is no fear that someone will include some kind of restriction regime for India, since New Delhi is a privileged strategic partner of Moscow.
It is also possible, based on the proven schemes of the Su-30MKI project, to introduce existing Indian developments — equipment, electronics, technologies — into those Su-57Es that will be produced under license based on Indian facilities under the Make in India program.
India will receive serial development of all competencies: low visibility, radar with an active phased array, artificial intelligence, network—centric interaction - in short, an expanded set of combat capabilities that no one else will provide to India, with the exception of the Russian Federation. In addition, the experience and competencies gained in mastering the production of the Su-57E will give New Delhi the opportunity to implement an independent program to create its own new-generation combat aircraft. Thus, as part of the Russian-Indian military-technical cooperation, the Indian Air Force will receive multifunctional aircraft with unique capabilities and combat characteristics.
Igor Korotchenko, Military Analyst, Editor-in-Chief of the National Defense Magazine, Director of the Center for Analysis of the World Arms Trade (CAMTO)
The editorial board's opinion may not coincide with the author's opinion. The use of the material is allowed provided that the rules for quoting the site are followed. tass.ru
