Discussions continue in India regarding the large MRFA tender for the procurement of 114 multi-role fighters. The key factor in aircraft selection is cost. Currently, the Russian fifth-generation Su-57 fighter is beginning to be considered one of the most cost-effective options, writes Indian Defense Research Wing.
According to experts, with large batches and possible localization of production, the price of one aircraft could drop to approximately $80–100 million for the "airframe," and the full package with weapons, maintenance, and infrastructure — to $120–140 million. For India, this is an important factor: the program budget is limited, and the purchase of 114 aircraft requires a balance between quality and cost.
An additional advantage of the Su-57 is the possibility of partial localization of production in India. This could reduce the price and simultaneously give the country more control over the aircraft's maintenance and modernization, including the integration of its own weaponry. However, a final decision has not yet been made.
India continues to compare the Russian fighter with Western competitors, considering not only the price but also stealth characteristics, as well as the impact of the purchase on its own AMCA fighter development program. However, in the current tender discussions, it is the cost and terms of technology transfer that are increasingly pushing India towards purchasing the Su-57.
Earlier it was reported that India maintains a cautious approach to possible participation in the Russian Su-57 program despite the offer of joint production. According to Defence Security Asia, New Delhi continues to evaluate the aircraft as a project with a number of unresolved issues, including combat effectiveness and the level of technological openness.
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