Eurasia Expert: Who will buy the newest Russian Su-57 fighter… India or China?

A Mass production of the newer Su-57 fighter has begun in Russia. 

Meanwhile, interest in this combat is growing among potential foreign customers.

But, in the case of India, the decision to buy, or not, will be primarily political: if the path of rapprochement with the United States and confrontation with China continues, the greater possibility will be to choose a US fighter. 

Accordingly, the purchase of a Russian combat aircraft would indicate an option in the interests of parity and balance, which was characteristic of Indian policy.

What enhances the role of the political factor in particular is that China does not rule out the purchase of the Su-57, although the People’s Republic of China has practically started mass production of its new generation J 20 fighters.

There is speculation that the Russian fighter will be sold, at the same time, to China and India, as was the case, for example, with the S-400 air defense system.

Rather, everything here will depend on the nature of the relationship in the US-India-China triangle. 

In particular, it is known that the purchase of New Delhi’s S-400s caused a very harsh reaction from Washington, and “allowed” the deal without imposing sanctions under CAATSA, only as a matter of “observing India’s status,” and according to rumors, in exchange for a promise to buy American fighters. 

The purchase of the Su-57 could also anger Washington, even though the incoming administration is softer than the outgoing one, and things may brake again: The United States really needs a cold war friend India with China.

It is worth noting that the first contract for the purchase of the Russian fighter may not be concluded either with this customer or with that.

Algeria is being talked about as a potential buyer of the Su-57.

During the last year, rumors have circulated of a signed contract to purchase 14 aircraft. 

And pouring oil into the fires of rumors, he posted a photo of the Su-57 on the wall of an Algerian military town in September.