Su-57 vs. F-35: Why Russian Jet is Better Fit for the Indian Air Force?

From the very beginning, the Indian Air Force was sure that Aero India 2025 would be a decisive and competitive affair. The question of which of the fifth-generation fighter aircraft India should opt for has still not been answered. Given that the F-35 is hailed as the world's best fighter, with equal scrutiny, the plane that best suits India is the Su-57.

Illustration by The Geostrata

In the case of the F-35 versus the Su-57, international politics becomes a factor. Several reasons suggest that the Su-57 is indeed the best option for India. They include the platform's suitability to India's existing systems, the known Russian readiness to accept the modifications, and the operational philosophy of the aircraft, which is more in harmony with the IAF’s doctrine.

In addition to this, there is also the cost, logistics, and the prospect of greater benefit for India through technology theft and endless pursuit of transfer makes the answer unequivocally more poised.

COMPATIBILITY WITH EXISTING INDIAN PLATFORMS

One of the most important considerations in any military acquisition is the level of integration a new system has with the current infrastructure. The Su-57 excels here by sharing design philosophy, avionics compatibility, and weapons integration with the platforms that the IAF already fields, like the Su-30MKI, MiG-29, and the different Russian-origin missile systems.

Meanwhile, the purchase of the F-35 would involve serious drawbacks. The plane is characterised by closed architecture or the fact that operators cannot open their weapons or systems for easy integration. The U.S. government places stern limitations on modification, even with its closest friends. Nations like the UK, Japan, and Israel have been forced to bargain heavily to be granted limited permits for customisation.

For India, this would mean that the important indigenous weapon systems like BrahMos-NG, Astra beyond-visual-range (BVR) missiles, and Uttam AESA radar cannot be permitted on the F-35. Instead, India would be compelled to acquire a whole new set of weapons from America, adding heavily to the cost while contradicting the ‘Aatmanirbhar Defence’ initiative in military aviation.

With the Su-57, however, Russia has always been willing to make adjustments, as proven by the Su-30MKI program, where Indian as well as Israeli subsystems were permitted to be integrated.

FREEDOM IN TECHNOLOGY AND PRODUCTION

Russia has provided India with more autonomy when it comes to localised production and technology transfer. Russia is reportedly willing to establish a Su-57 production facility in India, which would save considerable operational costs, provide a consistent supply of spare parts, enhancing India's defense industry.

Conversely, the possibility of Lockheed Martin establishing an F-35 manufacturing facility in India is very remote. Even America's allies such as Canada, Germany, and South Korea, who have pledged to buy the F-35, have not been granted local manufacturing rights. India would then be entirely dependent on the American supply chain, thereby increasing maintenance costs and is logistically cumbersome.

Besides, the Su-57 project would also be instructive for India's own Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) and LCA Mk2 projects.

HAL and DRDO would gain experience firsthand in stealth design, composites, and cutting-edge engine technology—an option that buying the F-35 would not provide.

OPERATIONAL PHILOSOPHY: NATO VS. INDIAN DOCTRINE

The F-35 was built to fit into a NATO-dominated environment, where it serves as a stealthy first-strike aircraft, gathering information and providing sensor data to other friendly planes and ground-based sensors. The plane is superior in a network-centric warfare environment where it is teamed with NATO systems to gain battlefield superiority.

But this strategy presupposes two fundamental conditions:

1. The presence of a NATO-type command-and-control system, with all the aircraft and ground facilities integrated.

2. The desire to be an expeditionary air force, able to forward-deploy aircraft deep within the enemy's airspace for first-strike capability.

   
   

Both of these assumptions do not conform to India's strategic philosophy. The IAF puts more emphasis on air dominance and territorial defense as opposed to power projection worldwide. This makes the Su-57 a better option, as it was designed to meet Russia's operational requirements,  focusing on defending airspace and responding to stealth challenges rather than conducting deep penetration missions.

PERFORMANCE CONSIDERATIONS: STEALTH VS. MANOEUVRABILITY AND SENSOR FUSION

The F-35 indeed possesses superior stealth capabilities to the Su-57. Stealth, however, does not make an aircraft effective—least of all India's. The F-35's stealth is tailored for deep penetration missions, but India's doctrine does not prioritise the first strike.

Secondly, stealth coatings on the F-35 deteriorate over time and need heavy maintenance—a significant problem faced by even the USAF. Having such a high-maintenance aircraft in service would take a huge toll on India's resources.

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Conversely, the Su-57 has a different set of strengths. While its overall stealth is less than that of the F-35, it does have great frontal stealth, which is adequate for air superiority roles.

Additionally, the Su-57 makes up for it with unparalleled manoeuvrability, with thrust-vectoring engines that enable it to beat nearly any other plane in close-in dogfighting.

Another major plus of the Su-57 is its infrared search and track (IRST) capability. Western designers have admitted that the Su-57's IRST can detect stealth aircraft such as the F-22 and F-35 at 150-200 km. This is something not even American fighters possess, which makes the Su-57 a good counter-stealth fighter.

Second, the Su-57 can carry more weapons than the F-35 and can target air as well as ground-based targets, making it a more versatile aircraft and a better fit for India's requirement for a multi-role fighter.

CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN THE SU-57 PROGRAM

The Su-57 program is not without its challenges. Russia has been unable to ramp up production because of sanctions and shortages of materials. Moreover, the aircraft is still waiting for a more sophisticated power plant, which will enhance thrust and fuel efficiency.

Still, these challenges create a window of opportunity for India. By developing a domestic assembly line, India would be able to reduce Russia's supply chain problems while acquiring valuable expertise in stealth technology, composite materials, and engine production.

This would not only help the Su-57 program but also give a technological advantage to India's domestic fighter programs like the AMCA and LCA Mk2. On the other hand, buying the F-35 would lead to a one-way reliance on the U.S. with no long-term gain for India's defense sector.

FINAL VERDICT: A BALANCED APPROACH TO 5th-GEN FIGHTERS

Though certainly a stunning plane, the F-35 is not the best vehicle for India. Its tight technology controls, dependence on American supply chains, and non-compatibility with Indian systems make it an expensive and rigid choice.

The Su-57, though with certain limitations, presents a more practical and strategic option. It is simpler to integrate into the IAF, enables more customisation and technology transfer, and aligns with India's current air defence doctrine.

Still, India needs to be cautious while balancing its investments. As indigenous programs like AMCA and LCA Mk2 are underway, India can restrict Su-57 purchases to 3-4 squadrons—just sufficient to offer a credible deterrence without eclipsing domestic fighter projects.

Ultimately, the choice should not be merely on aircraft details, but on strategic independence and long-term advantages. By selecting the Su-57, India can strengthen its airpower without sacrificing control over its defence environment—an advantage no amount of US technology can offer.

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BY VAIBHAV SINGH

TEAM GEOSTRATA

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