India is preparing to open discussions with Russia on potential acquisitions of Su-57 stealth fighter aircraft and the S-500 air defence system during Russia President Vladimir Putin’s state visit on December 4 and December 5, 2025, according to a report by Russian independent business news website The Bell.

The talks would fall within the countries’s long-established strategic partnership, although they may add complexity to India’s trade negotiations with the US, which has already slapped a 50% tariff on New Delhi. India’s air force operates almost 300 Russian-origin fighters, largely MiG-29 and Su-30MKI models.

In 2018, India agreed to buy five S-400 battalions for $5.43bn, however two of these systems remain undelivered and delayed, likely due to Russia backfilling its own inventories due to losses and expanded requirements of its war in Ukraine.

India’s military has assessed the S-400 system as highly effective during border tensions with Pakistan in May 2025. India plans to press for faster transfer of the final two when officials meet. However, while the Russian side is likely to accept the proposal for the expedited delivery of the two already paid for units and any new units India may buy, they are likely to hesitate over supplying the S-500, as it is yet to enter operational service with the Russian armed forces themselves.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has said in a separate press interaction facilitated by Russia’s state owned Sputnik news agency that possible supplies of Su-57 aircraft including in a joint production model and additional S-400 units will be on the agenda and agreements are expected. Still, India’s military procurement cycle is known for lengthy timelines, revisions and negotiations, meaning swift progress is unlikely, particularly on the Su-57, which India also wants to manufacture locally.

Furthermore, India being a cost-sensitive arms importer is likely to also consider the Su-75 single engine fighter as it offers nearly the same level of stealth features as its double engine cousin the Su-57 which while competing with both the US made F-22 and F-35 has gone through several design refinements over the decades despite entering operational service years ago.