Russia’s Su-57 offer boosts India’s ‘strategic options’ amid strained US ties
The move signals Moscow’s desire to revitalise defence ties with New Delhi and offer ‘solutions’ to its military upgrade drive, analysts say
Analysts say the proposed transfer – involving the Su-57 stealth fighter – not only signals Moscow’s desire to revitalise defence ties with one of its top arms buyers, but also offers India a timely opportunity to demonstrate that it has “strategic options” as it navigates a balancing act between rival powers.
Moscow’s ambassador to Delhi, Denis Alipov, told Russian state news agency Tass on November 20 that both sides were conducting “intensive work” on the Su-57E platform and that Russia was ready to offer what he described as “unprecedented” localisation.
Sergey Chemezov, CEO of Rostec – Russia’s state-owned defence and industrial conglomerate – also told Tass that Moscow was prepared to share Su-57 technology without conditions, citing the close partnership between the two countries.
“We are supplying India with all kinds of military equipment according to its needs and strengthening future cooperation,” he said on November 19.