Putin Offers India Full Technology Transfer and Joint Production of Su-57 Stealth Fighter

Russian President Vladimir Putin offered India joint production of the Su-57 fifth-generation stealth fighter jet and said Moscow was willing to cooperate without limitations. He made the comments during an interaction with journalists at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum on June 5, 2026.

“We are ready to supply India with this aircraft, to keep developing it. We don’t have any issues or limitations,” Putin said. He also offered technology transfer and integration of the Su-57 with Indian systems, adding that the aircraft could become a joint venture between the two countries.

India and Russia began a joint program in 2007 to co-develop a fifth-generation fighter. India withdrew from that project in 2018 over concerns about costs, technology access, and the aircraft’s stealth capabilities. Russia then developed the Su-57 independently.

India currently has no fifth-generation fighter in its air force. Its most advanced combat aircraft is the French Rafale, which is not a stealth platform. The Russian Su-57 fighter jet was showcased at the Aero India exhibition in Bengaluru in 2025.

U.K. Sunil, said Russia had presented the capabilities of the Su-57 to India. “We are awaiting the Russian quotation about the investment.

Then we will approach the air force that these are the kind of numbers required to produce these aircraft,” Sunil said. Putin also said Russia was willing to collaborate with India on fifth-generation technologies, air defense systems, and a joint program to produce Brahmos supersonic cruise missiles. Indian officials have not responded publicly to the latest offer.

Defense News reported that the co-production and customization terms mark one of the most expansive defense cooperation proposals made in recent years to India, which considers technology transfer a critical factor in major defense acquisitions.