Upcoming MAKS-2019 Air Show in Moscow Offers India a Window for SU-57E

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New Delhi. The upcoming MAKS-2019 air show in Moscow could well provide an opportunity for India to step up its interest in procuring the latest fighter jets when Russia presents the export versions of its latest fifth-generation Su-57E fighter jets.

Along with the Su-57 fighter jets, the IL-112VE light military transport aircraft will also be on display at the air show. The Indian Air Force which currently has a shortage of fighter jets squadron might just be keen to have a look at these latest multi-purpose fighters developed by Rosoboronexport.

Alexander Mikheev, the CEO of the manufacturer stated that all the necessary documents required to export Su-57E are ready and the fighter jets could be readily attained by foreign buyers. The MAKS-2019 air show will be hosted by Moscow from August 27 to September one.

The Sukhoi Su-57 is a modern-day beast with stealth capabilities. It is a single-seat, twin-engine fifth-generation fighter jet being developed since 2002 for attaining air superiority over enemies.

The design has been deliberated upon keeping in mind features like supercruise, super manoeuvrability and stealth. The aircraft is expected to have a service life of around 35 years and will replace Su-27 and MiG-29 in the Russian Air Force after the development program is officially completed.

Russia has already offered India to enter into a defence partnership for the co-development of Sukhoi Su-57 fighters. India which was initially a part of this co-development program had withdrawn from the joint venture in 2018 after Russia refused to share the source code of the jet’s mission software and flight systems.