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IAF Buying SU-57 Is A Bad Idea: Here's Why
With strained ties between Moscow and Washington, Russia is aggressively seeking new buyers for its Sukhoi SU-57, its answer to American fifth-generation stealth fighters. India is often viewed as a potential market, but investing in the SU-57 could be a costly mistake.
At first glance, the SU-57 appears to be Russia's flagship stealth fighter. However, a closer look reveals that it falls significantly short when compared to American counterparts like the F-22 Raptor and the F-35 Lightning II.
While the F-35 and F-22 boast advanced stealth shaping and coatings that minimize their radar cross-section, the SU-57 is widely considered a "low-visibility" jet rather than a true stealth platform. Its larger radar signature undermines one of the primary advantages of fifth-generation aircraft: remaining undetected in contested airspace.
Recent events also highlight the limitations of stealth technology itself. In June 2025, a British F-35B diverted to Thiruvananthapuram International Airport due to low fuel and rough seas preventing a return to its carrier. The Indian Air Force's radar network detected and identified the aircraft once it declared an emergency.
While this does not mean stealth is obsolete, it shows that advanced radars can track even the most modern stealth fighters under certain conditions. If the world's most advanced stealth aircraft can be detected, the SU-57-with inferior stealth shaping-would be even more vulnerable.
Another concern lies in its engines. The SU-57 currently relies on upgraded fourth-generation engines, with its promised fifth-generation powerplants still uncertain. Without these engines, the fighter lacks the thrust, efficiency, and reliability expected of modern stealth aircraft. This makes its future performance projections questionable at best.
For India, which requires dependable and future-proof solutions, purchasing the SU-57 risks becoming a poor investment. If there is an urgent need for fifth-generation fighters, acquiring a limited number of Chinese-built stealth aircraft-such as the J-20-may prove a more pragmatic option. While controversial, such a move could also ease tensions between New Delhi and Beijing, opening a new chapter of cooperation instead of conflict.
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Ultimately, India must weigh strategic needs with long-term value. The SU-57 may offer political symbolism, but in real combat terms, it risks being an expensive compromise.
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