India is reconsidering the purchase of up to 84 Russian Su-57 stealth fighters amid urgent operational needs, mainly due to the phasing out of its aging MiG-21 fleet and delays in the indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program. Reports indicate that India is exploring acquiring two squadrons directly from Russia, with plans to assemble an additional three to five squadrons locally at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) Nashik facility, leveraging existing infrastructure used for the Su-30MKI. The deal includes potential technology transfers and integration of Indian weapons systems like Astra and Rudram. Despite these prospects, concerns exist over heavy investment in the Su-57 possibly affecting the AMCA program’s progress, which aims for a first flight around 2028 and induction by 2035 but has faced delays due to complexity and development challenges. The Indian Air Force views the Su-57 as a pragmatic stopgap solution to fill fighter gaps while pursuing long-term self-reliance through AMCA. This shift highlights India’s balancing act between immediate defense readiness and strategic autonomy with domestic aerospace development. Meanwhile, geopolitical risks such as Western sanctions on Russia complicate procurement and supply sustainability. HAL’s readiness to co-produce the Su-57 reflects India’s push to build advanced fighter production capabilities domestically.