Putin says Russia ready to jointly build Su-57 stealth fighter with India

📌 Summary:

• Russian President Putin offered India joint production of the Su-57 — Russia's fifth-generation stealth fighter — with "no restrictions whatsoever" on technology
• Comes as India faces a fighter-aircraft gap before its indigenous AMCA (Advanced Multirole Combat Aircraft) enters IAF service, unlikely before 2035
• India has not shut the door: HAL is reportedly in contact with the Sukhoi Design Bureau; govt is considering at least two squadrons (~36 aircraft), subject to specifications
• Background: India and Russia earlier pursued a joint FGFA programme but New Delhi withdrew in 2021 over cost, tech-sharing and performance concerns
• Putin also offered air-defence cooperation, dovetailing with India's indigenous "Sudarshan Chakra" network in which Russian S-400 systems are central; India signed a $5bn deal for five S-400 units in 2018 (proved value in Operation Sindoor) and cleared five more in March 2026
• Per SIPRI, India was the world's 2nd-largest arms importer (2021-25), with Russia the largest supplier — though Ukraine-war supply disruptions are pushing India to diversify

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS3 (defence indigenisation, military modernisation, technology transfer) and GS2 (India-Russia strategic ties amid CAATSA/diversification pressures)

📝 Prelims Facts:

• Su-57 = Russian 5th-gen stealth fighter (rival to US F-35); AMCA = India's indigenous 5th-gen fighter, service after 2035
• FGFA = Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft programme (India exited 2021); HAL & Sukhoi Design Bureau involved
• S-400: $5bn deal for 5 units (2018), 5 more cleared March 2026; "Sudarshan Chakra" integrated air-defence network
• SIPRI: India 2nd-largest arms importer 2021-25

🔑 Key Term: CAATSA — US law (Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act) threatening sanctions on countries making major arms deals with Russia.