F-35 vs Sukhoi Su-57 has been a topic of debate for a long time now. The recent tensions between India and Pakistan have further emphasized the need for India to acquire stealth jets. During air combats, other aircraft and drones are easily locked by the enemy’s radar. Once locked, the enemy’s air defence can easily destroy those aircraft and drones.
During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the US, President Donald Trump offered America’s advanced F-35 stealth fighter jets to India. On the other hand, Russia too has offered its flagship Sukhoi Su-57 stealth aircraft to India.
So the question is, which stealth jet better suits India’s needs? Let’s find out the answer to this question by putting facts to paper.
F-35 vs Sukhoi Su-57
Speed: The Sukhoi Su-57 has a top speed of 2,137 kmph, whereas the F-35’s top speed is 1,931 kmph. Sukhoi Su-57 shines, when it comes to speed.
Range: Here again, Sukhoi Su-57 has an upper edge. The F-35 can travel up to 1,500 kilometres, while the Sukhoi Su-57 has a range of 1,900 kilometres.
Cost: The F-35 costs around $80-110 million per unit, whereas the Sukhoi Su-57 costs between $30 million to $40 million. The Sukhoi Su-57 is almost half the cost of the F-35.
Combat Experience: The F-35 has already been tested in combat, with countries like the US and Israel deploying it successfully in military operations. Israel used F-35 jets to attack military sites in Iran. The aircraft were undetectable to the enemy’s radar. The aircraft completed their mission and returned without being intercepted.
On the other hand, the Sukhoi Su-57 has been in some action in Ukraine. However, it has not been used extensively, and a crash in 2019 raised concerns about its reliability.
Variants: The F-35 also comes in different variants: one for normal take-off and landing, another for vertical take-off and landing (VTOL), and a version designed for naval use. However, there are no such variants in the Sukhoi Su-57.
Which One Is Better For India?
Russia is ready to offer the Su-57, immediately, whereas Donald Trump has suggested that India could purchase the F-35 in the future. The process of procurement takes a long time, especially when so much money is involved.
Defence experts believe that if we take parameters such as technology, economy, and logistics into account, the Sukhoi Su-57 seems to be the best option for India, in current scenario. Even if the US offers the F-35, it would be manufactured in the US and supplied as a finished product. If the political situation changes, and the US decides to withhold spare parts or upgrades, we would be left with a costly aircraft that is difficult to maintain.
However, we are already setting up manufacturing plants in India to produce Sukhois, which will make Sukhoi Su-57, a cost-effective option.
Another drawback with F-35 is that the lifetime cost of owning F-35s is estimated to be around $1.5 trillion due to maintenance, upgrades, and spare parts. What’s beneficial with Sukhoi Su-57 is that it is more feasible both technically and economically. Moreover, it would be delivered sooner.
