New Delhi’s demand for domestic integration, particularly of radar and mission systems, is viewed by Russian analysts as a subtle but significant rebuke of the capabilities of Russia’s own Su-57 fighter architecture.
India’s insistence that Russia must replace key components of the Su-57E fighter—including its radar—with Indian-made systems as a precondition for purchase has reportedly triggered growing concern and dissatisfaction among Moscow’s defence establishment.
New Delhi’s demand for domestic integration, particularly of radar and mission systems, is viewed by Russian analysts as a subtle but significant rebuke of the capabilities of Russia’s own Su-57 fighter architecture, which has substantial concerns about radar visibility, avionics and weapons capability.
According to Indian defence sources, the primary contention revolves around the Su-57E’s N036 “Byelka” AESA radar, which is built using Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) technology identical to that of Irbis-E PESA and, in India’s view, fails to meet the detection range, power efficiency, and electronic warfare resilience expected of next-generation radar systems.
Indian experts contend that their European-imported Gallium Nitride (GaN)-based AESA radars, which promise superior thermal handling, range, and signal fidelity, are more suited for high-performance fifth-generation air combat.
India is reportedly seeking to install its indigenously developed Uttam AESA radar—currently deployed on Tejas fighters—and the Virupaksha radar, being integrated into upgraded Su-30MKI aircraft under the Super-30 program, as alternatives to the Russian Byelka system.
Although both the Uttam AESA radar and the Virupaksha radar are yet to pass the bench test, India wants to bet on a locally made radar.
Both systems are being developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and are built on GaN semiconductor architecture.
The push for domestic radar integration aligns with India’s broader Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) doctrine, which aims to reduce dependence on foreign defence suppliers and promote sovereign control over critical technologies.
From a technological standpoint, GaAs-based AESA radars, like the Byelka, offer reliable performance but are limited by lower thermal tolerance and power efficiency—factors that are becoming increasingly crucial in modern multi-domain air combat scenarios.
GaN-based AESA radars, in contrast, are emerging as the gold standard for fifth- and sixth-generation fighter aircraft globally, used by top-tier platforms such as the F-35’s AN/APG-81, and Japan’s J/F-X program.
India’s refusal to accept the standard Su-57E configuration is seen in Moscow as a challenge to Russia’s defence technological primacy, especially given the geopolitical significance of maintaining its influence over one of its largest arms clients.
To assuage Indian concerns and stay ahead of the competing American F-35A, which Washington has also quietly positioned for the Indian Air Force, Russia has reportedly offered full source code access to facilitate system-level integration of Indian-made components and software into the Su-57E.
According to Indian defence media, the Su-57E export model being proposed by Russia will incorporate elements of India’s Su-30MKI program, including the use of GaA-based radars and locally developed mission computers—making it interoperable with India’s existing air combat ecosystem.
The Super-30 upgrade, aimed at transforming India’s frontline Su-30MKI fleet into multirole fighters, serves as the blueprint for India’s technology integration approach, especially for avionics, electronic warfare systems, and precision-guided weaponry.
Should India proceed with the Su-57E acquisition, the aircraft would be expected to field India-made missiles such as the Astra beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) and potentially other precision-strike munitions under development.
Such a move would not only reduce India’s long-term reliance on foreign-sourced weapon systems but also ensure software sovereignty, particularly over mission-critical systems, which India has struggled to secure in past defence procurements.
A key factor behind India’s hardened stance is the prolonged dispute with France over the Rafale’s source code, which has hindered the integration of indigenous weapons and systems onto the 4.5-generation fighter aircraft.
Despite a €7.8 billion (RM37.5 billion) deal signed in 2016 for 36 Rafale fighters, France—through Dassault Aviation—has consistently refused to share full source code access with India, even as the Indian Air Force pushes for deeper integration of missiles like the Astra Mk1 and Rudram anti-radiation missile.
While India has made progress integrating some local weapons, France’s refusal to unlock the Modular Mission Computer (MMC) and Thales RBE2 AESA radar software continues to limit the Rafale’s adaptability for Indian-specific mission profiles.
This experience has reinforced India’s defence policy to demand full source code rights and ensure that future fighter acquisitions are fully compatible with Indian-developed technologies from the outset.
To strengthen its offer, Russia has also proposed licensed local production of the Su-57E in India, with Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov stating:
“This aircraft (Su-57E) is very competitive, and we are offering not only to sell it, but also to collaborate on production. We are ready to transfer technology and develop the necessary industrial facilities.”
“Besides, we are open to configuration changes based on India’s requirements. This is a very attractive proposal.”
This proposal aligns with recent statements by Russia’s state arms export agency Rosoboronexport, which confirmed that India could immediately begin Su-57E production using its existing Su-30MKI production lines, where over 222 aircraft have already been built under license.
In a report published on March 7 by Russian state media outlet TASS, Rosoboronexport reaffirmed its readiness to repurpose Su-30MKI infrastructure to locally manufacture Su-57E fighters—if India finalizes the procurement deal.
“If India makes a positive decision, the production of the fifth-generation Su-57E can begin quickly at the same facilities currently building the Su-30MKI,” the statement read.
With New Delhi weighing the Russian Su-57E against America’s F-35A, the final decision may hinge less on stealth or range and more on technological transfer to India.
As fifth-generation air combat transitions into a new era of AI-enhanced radar, GaN-driven performance, and network-centric warfare, India’s insistence on full integration and source code control could redefine the future of multilateral defence partnerships in the Indo-Pacific.
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