Russia Offers Su-57 with Source Code
Russia allegedly escalated its attempts to market its fifth-generation fighter jet, the Su-57E, to India by providing “source code” autonomy, which enables it to integrate systems and equipment developed by its domestic defense sector into Moscow’s premier fighter aircraft.
Russia’s appealing proposal to provide India with the Su-57E fighter jet aims to position Moscow ahead of the United States, which is concurrently offering the F-35A fifth-generation fighter jet for the Indian Air Force to address the dual threats posed by China and Pakistan.
Indian defense media reports say that the Su-57E fighter jet that Russia is offering to India will include important technologies meant for the Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jet in India’s Super-30 program, such as an AESA radar using Gallium Nitride (GaN) and a mission computer made by local companies.
The Super-30 fighter aircraft is the Indian Air Force’s Su-30 MKI, enhanced by the domestic defense sector. By combining India’s Super-30 Sukhoi Su-30MKI program with the Su-57E fighter aircraft, India will ensure that the Su-57E, if procured, utilizes systems and missiles produced by its domestic industry for the latest Russian fighter aircraft.
India’s defense industry has developed missiles like the Astra BVR and other precision munitions for potential use on the Su-57E.
This will further diminish India’s dependence on foreign supply firms and guarantee access to the “source code” needed to integrate Indian defense products with the fighter aircraft it procures.
It also guarantees that the “unfortunate” incident involving the acquisition of a source code from France for its Rafale fighter jets does not recur.
Prior reports indicated that France has consistently refused to provide India with the source code needed to integrate various domestically produced weapon systems with the Rafale fighter jets it acquired from the European nation.
Source Code
Despite pressure from New Delhi, Dassault Aviation, the company that developed the Rafale fighter jet, continues to withhold the fighter jet’s source code. Integrating domestically produced systems, including missiles, bombs, avionics, and electronics, into French-made fighter aircraft will simultaneously enhance India’s defense industry’s autonomy and diminish New Delhi’s reliance on foreign defense systems.
India procured 36 Rafale fighter jets from France via a contract valued at approximately €7.8 billion (RM37.5 billion), finalized in September 2016. The initial delivery of Rafale aircraft to India occurred on 29 July 2020, while the final delivery, the 36th aircraft, was received on 15 December 2022, signifying the conclusion of the entire agreement.
The aircraft are located at two primary air bases: Ambala in Haryana and Hasimara in West Bengal. In April 2025, India signed a deal with France to buy 26 Rafale M jets for its Navy. We expect the delivery of these naval fighters to commence in 2028 and conclude by 2030.
France is working with the Indian Air Force to integrate local weapons like Astra Mk1 and SAAW. However, France refuses to share the Rafale’s source code with India, despite growing pressure from New Delhi. This source code controls key systems, including the Thales RBE2 AESA radar and Modular Mission Computer.
Rudram into the Rafale platform
These systems are essential for integrating Indian missiles like Astra and Rudram into the Rafale platform. Without the source code, India struggles to customize the jets to match its unique operational needs. This limitation slows India’s goal of building a more self-reliant defense ecosystem under the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiative.
This matter has ignited a wider discourse regarding technological sovereignty and strategic autonomy. The Super-30 program focuses on improving the midlife capabilities of the Indian Air Force’s Su-30MKI fighter jets, which were developed together by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in India and the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) and the Sukhoi Design Bureau in Russia.
The initiative involves a major upgrade of about 150 to 200 Su-30MKIs, aiming to improve the aircraft to “4.5++ generation” standards, making them almost as advanced as fifth-generation aircraft in terms of technology like avionics, weapons, radar, and electronic warfare systems.
Principal Attributes and Enhancements
AESA Radar (Active Electronically Scanned Array)
The existing passive N011M Bars radar will be supplanted by an advanced AESA radar, presumably the Uttam AESA model developed by India’s DRDO or a comparable variant from Russia.
This upgrade will improve how far the aircraft can detect targets, boost its electronic counter-countermeasures (ECCM) abilities, and enable it to engage several targets at the same time.
Contemporary Avionics Systems: The aircraft’s cockpit will be enhanced with a digital display (glass cockpit), electronic flight instruments, and a next-generation mission computer. It also encompasses enhancements in sensor fusion to afford pilots enhanced situational awareness.
Advanced Electronic Warfare (EW) Systems: The aircraft will be outfitted with contemporary EW systems to enhance survivability in intricate electronic warfare scenarios. The upgrade will include the incorporation of an infrared detection and tracking (IRST) system.
Ammunition and Armament Integration
The Super-30 variant of the Su-30MKI aircraft will exhibit complete compatibility with an extensive array of contemporary Indian and international munitions, including: The aircraft will be equipped with the BrahMos-A supersonic cruise missile, ASTRA Mk1 and Mk2 long-range air-to-air missiles (beyond visual range), smart glide bombs, anti-radiation missiles (ARMs), and various precision-guided munitions.
The aircraft could potentially integrate Russian R-77-1 or RVV-BD long-range air-to-air missiles to bolster its air superiority. F-16. The Indian Air Force will operate alongside Singaporean F-16 aircraft.
The aircraft’s structural lifespan will be extended to exceed 40 years.
Some upgraded Su-30MKIs may be equipped with the Su-35’s AL-41F-1S engine, while most will continue to use the AL-31FP engine. The AL-31FP is preferred for its thrust vectoring abilities and longer service life in Indian conditions.
India’s Super-30 upgrade aims to future-proof the Su-30MKI fleet against threats from China and Pakistan. These improvements ensure the aircraft remains central to India’s air strategy for decades to come.
Russia’s Su-57E is the export version of the Su-57, offering cutting-edge fifth-generation fighter capabilities. Sukhoi, part of the United Aircraft Corporation, designed it for top-tier air-to-air and air-to-ground performance.
It uses stealth, agility, and advanced electronic warfare to survive and win in contested airspaces. Russia first showcased the Su-57E at Aero India 2021, signaling openness to share with key allies.
The jet has two AL-41F1 engines with thrust vectoring, allowing impressive agility and aerial combat performance. Its stealth comes from radar-absorbing materials, internal weapons, angled shapes, and S-shaped air inlets.
Thanks to low radar visibility, it can sneak past enemy defenses and hit critical targets with precision. It carries R-77M, R-74M2, and Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, along with guided bombs for versatile missions.
Su-57E’s Byelka AESA radar
The Su-57E’s Byelka AESA radar offers 360-degree awareness using multiple antennas for combined target tracking. Its avionics suite includes infrared tracking, electronic warfare systems, and an integrated combat management network.
This versatility makes the Su-57E highly capable in hostile environments with strong electronic and radar defenses. Russia limits Su-57E sales to trusted allies with both high-tech capability and strong defense ties. Countries like Algeria, Vietnam, and Myanmar have shown interest, but no deals have been finalized yet.
Reports suggest China and India may work together on this jet, not buy it outright. The Su-30MKI has been the backbone of the Indian Air Force since it entered service in the early 2000s.
Built through a Russia-India partnership, the jet blends Sukhoi designs with local and Western systems to fit Indian needs.
It uses two AL-31FP engines with thrust vectoring, letting it pull off impressive moves like cobras and tailslides. With a top speed of Mach 2 and a 3,000 km range, it offers deep reach over China and Pakistan.
Air-to-air refueling enables it to remain in the air for extended periods, thereby enhancing its strategic effectiveness along sensitive borders.
The N011M Bars radar can track 15 targets at once, but newer models are getting AESA radars like the Uttam. India’s “Super 30” upgrade program aims to boost radar, avionics, and combat power of older Su-30MKIs.
The fighter can launch powerful weapons like the BrahMos-A, Kh-31, R-77 missiles, and Indian precision-guided bombs.
BrahMos-A is supersonic and launched from the air—India is the only country doing this with such a fast missile. This combo gives India a big edge in naval strikes and hitting high-value land targets from standoff distances.
The jet blends tech from Israel, France, India, and Russia—making it a rare multinational system in South Asia.
Conclusion
India now operates over 270 Su-30MKIs across 13 squadrons—the largest active fighter fleet in all of Asia. The country is pushing a major upgrade plan called “Super Sukhoi” to modernize more than 150 aircraft. This upgrade adds digital cockpits, better sensors, and the ability to fire hypersonic missiles like the BrahMos.
The Su-30MKI plays a key role in India’s two-front war plan against China in the east and Pakistan westward. Thanks to air refueling and forward bases, the jet can quickly reach any hotspot across India’s borders.
During the Doklam and Ladakh tensions with China, India deployed Su-30MKIs to key bases like Leh for deterrence. This footage clearly shows the aircraft’s vital role in India’s response to Chinese military pressure along the border.
References
- Russia offers Su-57E with source code access to India—Defense News Today
- Su-57E fifth-generation fighter jet details—Rostec
- India’s AMCA program overview—The Hindu
- MMRCA 2.0 fighter jet competition—Times of India
- India-Russia defense cooperation—Ministry of External Affairs, India
- Su-57 fighter aircraft specifications
- India’s defence offset policy—PIB India
