Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has about 50 per cent of the capacity required for the co-production of the export variant of the Russian fifth-generation fighter aircraft Sukhoi Su-57, should the two countries decide to come together for a fifth-generation fighter aircraft project, a report submitted by a delegation from Russia, comprising representatives from the Sukhoi Design Bureau, to the public sector undertaking (PSU), noted.
According to a recent BusinessLine report, the representatives from Russia visited various facilities of HAL and carried out an assessment of the manufacturing capabilities, infrastructure, and technological readiness of the company to manufacture an Indian version of the fifth-generation Su-57E, the export-oriented variant of Sukhoi Su-57.
The Nashik facility of HAL already manufactures Sukhoi Su-30MKI for the Indian Air Force (IAF). The Russian delegation visited the Nashik division, the Koraput division in Odisha, which produces AL-31FP aero engines that power the Su-30MKI fighters, and the Strategic Electronics Factory in Kerala's Kasaragod, established for assembly, testing, repair, and manufacturing of various types of airborne computers.
According to the BusinessLine report, HAL is now bringing out its own assessment, outlining the investment that the company requires for infrastructure, R&D, and technologies for the development of Su-57E, in the event of India accepting such an offer from Russia. HAL is expected to submit this report to the Defence Ministry soon.
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In 2000, India and Russia signed an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) for India’s licensed production of the Sukhoi Su-30MKI, allowing HAL to manufacture the fighters at its facilities.
Russia has been pitching the Su-57, including its export version Su-57E, as a stop gap measure while the indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) takes shape. Russia had showcased the fifth-generation fighter at the Aero India air show held earlier this year.
