The Indian Air Force expects to expand orders for Russian Su-57s after receiving fighters with the new AL-51F-1 engines ("Product 30"), Military Watch Magazine (MWM) claims.
First, Delhi will accept the first 40 aircraft built in Russia, and only then will begin work on licensed production at its own facilities.
The journalists recalled that India acted similarly with the contract for Su-30MKI fighters.
The Su-57M1 will be equipped with the new AL-51F-1 engine, which will allow it to outperform the F-22 and potentially match the Chinese J-20 in total thrust.
MWM added that the Su-57M1 received a new radar, an updated fuselage providing improved stability and greater lift at supersonic speeds, as well as enhanced stealth capabilities.
AL-51F1 in non-afterburning mode will provide Su-57M fighters with a sharp increase in supersonic cruise speed to 1.9-2.1M. Currently, this figure reaches 1.6-1.7M. Thrust in afterburner mode is 18,000 kgf.
Indian media wrote that the republic's authorities are in no hurry to sign a contract for localization of production of these combat aircraft and are waiting for a detailed report from Russia on the cost of such a project.
The head of HAL corporation (India's equivalent of Rostec), Devasri Kutti Sunil, noted that India plans to receive from Russia proposals for investments in Su-57 production.
Read more materials on the topic:
- Su-57 production is accelerating: KnAAZ has brought three processes together under one roof
- The "Product 177" engine for the Su-57 solved the dilemma between speed and range
- In the West, they started talking about a "big prize" for Russia if India buys the Su-57
