India Says No To Russia’s Su-57 Jets, S-500 Air Defense System; Are INS Tamal and S-400 The Final Big Deals?
India’s defense landscape is undergoing a seismic shift, as evidenced by its recent decision to decline Russia’s offers for the Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jet and the advanced S-500 air defense system. The commissioning of INS Tamal, India’s last Russian-built warship, on July 1, 2025, and the ongoing delivery of the S-400 missile defense systems mark what many analysts see as the twilight of major defense acquisitions from Moscow. This blog explores the reasons behind India’s pivot, the strategic implications of this shift, and whether INS Tamal and the S-400 represent the final chapter in India’s long-standing defense partnership with Russia.
The Context: A Historic Defense Partnership
For decades, Russia has been India’s most reliable defense supplier, with over 70% of the Indian Air Force’s combat aircraft, including the Su-30MKI, MiG-29, and MiG-21, originating from Russian designs. The Indian Navy and Army also rely heavily on Russian hardware, from T-90 tanks to the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, a product of a successful Indo-Russian joint venture. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Russian arms accounted for 76% of India’s defense imports in 2009, a figure that has since dropped to 36% by 2024, reflecting a diversification in India’s procurement strategy.
The commissioning of INS Tamal, an Admiral Grigorovich-class stealth frigate, on July 1, 2025, in Kaliningrad, Russia, symbolizes the end of an era. This warship, equipped with BrahMos missiles and advanced air defense systems, is the last Russian-built vessel to join the Indian Navy, which has now committed to constructing all future warships domestically. Similarly, the delivery of the final two S-400 air defense systems, expected by August 2026, will complete a $5.4 billion deal signed in 2018, with no new major contracts on the horizon.
Russia’s Offers: Su-57 and S-500
In a bid to maintain its foothold in India’s defense market, Russia has made high-stakes offers in recent years. In June 2025, Moscow proposed the co-production of the Su-57E, an export variant of its fifth-generation stealth fighter, with unprecedented technology transfer, including access to source codes—a rare concession not typically offered by Western suppliers like France or the United States. The Su-57, with its advanced radar, stealth features, and compatibility with India’s existing Russian platforms, was pitched as a cost-effective alternative to the U.S. F-35, with a price tag of approximately $80 million per unit compared to the F-35’s higher cost.
Additionally, Russia offered joint production of the S-500 Prometheus, an advanced air defense system designed to counter hypersonic missiles, high-speed drones, and low Earth orbit satellites. With a 600 km range and a response time of 3-4 seconds—nearly three times faster than the S-400—the S-500 represents a significant leap in capability. Russia highlighted the system’s potential to neutralize threats from Pakistan and China, particularly given China’s deployment of hypersonic glide vehicles and Pakistan’s pursuit of stealth aircraft like the J-35.
Why India Said No
Despite these attractive offers, India has chosen to decline both the Su-57 and S-500, driven by a combination of strategic, operational, and geopolitical considerations:
1. Focus on Indigenous Development
India’s defense strategy is increasingly centered on self-reliance under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. The Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), an indigenous fifth-generation fighter jet, is a top priority, with the Aeronautical Development Agency accelerating its development for a mid-2030s rollout. The AMCA aims to deliver stealth capabilities, advanced avionics, and locally developed engines, reducing India’s dependence on foreign technology. Similarly, India’s Project Kusha, an indigenous long-range air defense system, is being prioritized to complement the S-400, diminishing the need for the S-500.
The decision to focus on domestic programs reflects a broader shift. Indian officials view the Su-57 as less appealing, given concerns about its stealth performance and engine reliability, with some reports suggesting its radar cross-section is larger than that of Western counterparts. Moreover, earlier attempts at co-developing the Su-57 (known as the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft program) stalled due to slow progress and limited technology transfer, leaving India wary of renewed commitments.
2. Geopolitical Balancing Act
India’s defense ties with Russia have been complicated by geopolitical realities. The United States, a growing strategic partner, has imposed sanctions under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) on countries purchasing Russian military hardware, as seen with India’s S-400 deal. Further purchases of Russian systems like the S-500 could invite additional diplomatic pressure, especially as India deepens ties with the U.S. through deals like the $3 billion acquisition of 31 MQ-9B drones and collaborations with General Electric for jet engine production.
At the same time, Russia’s strategic alignment with China, India’s primary regional rival, raises concerns. Russia supplies advanced systems like the Su-35 and S-400 to China, and reports suggest China may provide Pakistan with J-35 stealth fighters by 2026. India’s reluctance to deepen its reliance on Russia reflects a desire to diversify its defense partnerships and avoid over-dependence on a supplier closely tied to Beijing.
3. Operational and Cost Concerns
The S-400’s stellar performance during Operation Sindoor in May 2025, where it intercepted Pakistani drones and missiles with high efficacy, has solidified its role in India’s air defense architecture. However, the S-500’s higher cost and unproven status—still in the final stages of development in Russia—make it a risky investment, especially with the S-400 deal yet to be fully completed due to delays from the Ukraine conflict and Western sanctions.
Similarly, the Su-57’s operational shortcomings, including questions about its stealth capabilities and production delays due to sanctions, have dampened India’s enthusiasm. Indian Air Force officials have cited the jet’s high cost, outdated engines, and lack of progress on the Indian-specific variant as reasons for disinterest. The IAF’s aging fleet and shortfall of 31 combat squadrons (against an authorized 42) necessitate immediate solutions, but India prefers upgrading its Su-30MKI fleet and exploring Western options like the F-35 over committing to the Su-57.
4. Western and Domestic Alternatives
India’s defense imports are increasingly tilting toward Western suppliers. Since 2018, New Delhi has awarded nearly $20 billion in contracts to U.S. firms, and France has emerged as a key partner with the Rafale fighter jet, which performed prominently in Operation Sindoor. The U.S. has proposed selling the F-35, which offers superior stealth and networked warfare capabilities, though its high cost and limited technology transfer pose challenges. France’s Safran and Britain’s Rolls-Royce have also offered full technology transfer for fifth-generation fighter engines, aligning with India’s Make in India goals.
INS Tamal and S-400: The Final Big Deals?
The commissioning of INS Tamal and the completion of the S-400 delivery appear to mark the end of major defense acquisitions from Russia. INS Tamal, a 3,900-tonne stealth frigate equipped with BrahMos missiles and the SHTIL air defense system, strengthens India’s Western Naval Command but is the last of its kind, as India shifts to domestic shipbuilding. The S-400, with three of five units delivered and the remaining two expected by 2026, has proven its worth, but India’s focus on Project Kusha and indigenous ballistic missile defense systems suggests no further Russian air defense purchases are planned.
Smaller deals for spare parts and maintenance of existing Russian platforms, such as the Su-30MKI and T-90 tanks, will likely continue for decades due to India’s extensive legacy fleet. However, the absence of new major contracts, combined with India’s rejection of the Su-57, S-500, and other offers like nuclear submarine leases and Kalibr missiles, signals a strategic pivot.
Strategic Implications
India’s decision reflects a broader realignment in its defense strategy:
Self-Reliance: By prioritizing the AMCA and Project Kusha, India aims to reduce its dependence on foreign arms and build a robust domestic defense industry. Collaborations with Western firms for technology transfer, such as engine development with Safran or Rolls-Royce, further this goal.
Regional Dynamics: The growing threat from China’s J-20 and J-35 stealth fighters and Pakistan’s potential acquisition of Chinese aircraft underscores the need for advanced capabilities. India’s layered air defense, bolstered by the S-400 and indigenous systems, aims to counter these threats without relying on Russian systems that may overlap with those supplied to its adversaries.
Geopolitical Balancing: India’s delicate balancing act between Russia, the U.S., and other Western partners is evident in its cautious approach. While maintaining legacy ties with Moscow, India is deepening cooperation with the U.S. and France to access cutting-edge technology and avoid sanctions risks.
Conclusion
India’s rejection of Russia’s Su-57 and S-500 marks a turning point in its defense strategy, signaling the end of an era dominated by Russian arms. INS Tamal and the S-400 may well be the final major deals with Moscow, as India pivots toward indigenous programs like the AMCA and Project Kusha, alongside strategic partnerships with Western nations. While Russia will remain a key partner for maintenance and smaller contracts, India’s focus on self-reliance and diversification reflects a pragmatic response to evolving geopolitical and operational realities. As New Delhi navigates this transition, the global defense community watches closely, recognizing that India’s choices will shape the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific for years to come.
Sources: EurAsian Times, Zee News, India.com, WIONews, Army Recognition, Firstpost, CNBC TV18, Moneycontrol, Navbharat Times, India TV News, Times of India, Mathrubhumi, Wikipedia, Bharat Articles, Defense Security Asia, Military Watch Magazine
