Rafale Wins Over Sukhoi-57 for India: Why Russia's 5th-Gen Fighter Fell Short

• India is set to acquire 114 Rafale fighter jets from France in a deal worth approximately 3.25 lakh crore rupees, despite the Rafale being a 4.5-generation jet.
• The Sukhoi-57, Russia's 5th-generation fighter, faced questions regarding its stealth capabilities and battlefield performance, as highlighted by a Ukrainian pilot's claims.
• Russia intended to use the Ukraine war to market the Sukhoi-57 internationally, but it failed to achieve its mission objectives against Ukrainian forces.
• While the Sukhoi-57 boasts superior speed and maneuverability on paper, the Rafale is a war-tested jet with proven electronic warfare capabilities.
• The Rafale's geopolitical stability and faster delivery timelines from France, compared to Russia's war-affected supply chain, influenced India's decision.

Why It Matters: India prioritizes the war-tested Rafale over the Sukhoi-57 due to proven performance and reliable supply.