India is actively considering an urgent acquisition of the Russian Su-57E stealth fighter jet as a vital stopgap to address immediate air defense challenges until its indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) becomes operational. This development follows mounting regional stealth threats from China and Pakistan, which are advancing their own fifth-generation fighters. India has engaged in sensitive negotiations with Russia, weighing the benefits of the Su-57E’s advanced sensors, radar-absorbent materials, and thrust vectoring capabilities, alongside a significant technology transfer offer that includes local production at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s Nashik facility. While India continues to pursue the AMCA project, delays have pushed the expected operational date further into the future, heightening the urgency for a proven platform like the Su-57E. The Indian Air Force’s current fighter squadron strength is below sanctioned levels, making this purchase crucial for maintaining air superiority in the Indo-Pacific region. Meanwhile, India remains cautious about alternatives like the US F-35, citing strategic risks around embedded vulnerabilities and vendor control. The Su-57E acquisition aligns with India’s strategic goals of bolstering air power quickly while supporting defense self-reliance under the Make In India initiative.