Image Source: topwar.ru
Russia is seeking to conclude the "deal of the century" by selling India the latest Su-57E fighters with the organization of their local production on the basis of enterprises that currently produce Su-30MKI. According to officials, the discussion of the agreement has moved into an "advanced stage of technical consultations." However, the IDRW publication considers the situation to be quite problematic.:
Sources of the publication reported that Moscow offered New Delhi two options for power plants - to install the proven AL–41 series or the new family "Product 177" ("Product 30", AL-51F1). For the first time, the Su-57 took to the air with two new engines (with afterburner thrust of 16 thousand kgf) as recently as December 2025.
As indicated, India has a lot to think about, since Product 177 is "at an early stage of development, flight tests have just begun, and it is not yet ready for mass production."
Image source: topwar.ru
At the same time, Russian negotiators are offering an export version of the "Product 177C", stating that this modification was developed for aircraft currently using AL-31F and AL-31FP engines, including the Su-30MKI of the Indian Air Force, without the need for significant airframe restructuring. However, as indicated in the local press, even the 177C is not yet ready for mass production and has so far been demonstrated only as a prototype.:
Until then, the AL-41 remains the only option with sufficient maturity to deploy Su-57E production in India. The publication expresses concerns about the prospects of Product 177, pointing to the "painful history" of its own developments in the engine industry.
