NDTV · 28 Sep, 11:30 · Artificial Intelligence briefing

Exclusive: No Su-57 Decision Yet, Says Defence Secretary. India Leans On AI Networks To Bridge Stealth Gaps

India’s Defence Secretary confirms no final decision has been made regarding the procurement of Su-57 stealth fighters.

What it means for you ↓ Courses for this story

25–40%salary premium for professionals with applied AI skills

11xgrowth in AI job adverts since 2019

66%of leaders won't hire without AI literacy

20days to your first credential

The briefing

The story
in brief.

What happened, who it affects, and why it landed on our intelligence desk — in plain English, sixty seconds or less.

India’s Defence Secretary confirms no final decision has been made regarding the procurement of Su-57 stealth fighters. Instead, the nation is prioritising advanced artificial intelligence networks to compensate for gaps in stealth capabilities. This strategic pivot highlights a broader trend where software-defined systems and data analytics are becoming critical components of national defence infrastructure, potentially reducing reliance on traditional hardware acquisitions.

Employer demand for AI Strategy skills — indexed growth since 2019
Indicative index of skill mentions in professional job postings for the field this story moves (2019 = 1)

Your move

What this means
for your career.

Every headline redistributes opportunity. Here is who this one rewards — and how to be on the right side of it.

This shift signals that technical expertise in AI and cyber systems is now as vital as traditional engineering in defence sectors. You should monitor how public sector procurement policies increasingly favour digital infrastructure over heavy hardware. Professionals in AI Strategy and Cyber Security will see heightened demand as governments seek to modernise defence through software. To stay ahead, you must understand how AI integrates with complex operational frameworks. Consider upskilling in data-driven decision-making and security protocols. This development underscores that future career resilience lies in mastering the algorithms that bridge physical capability gaps, making technical adaptability your most valuable asset.

For this story, the fields that convert it into pay are AI Strategy, Cyber Security, Artificial Intelligence and Engineering — exactly the programmes matched below. The chart shows the indicative salary uplift certified professionals report in each of those fields; every one of them is a click away, from £79, finishing in as few as 20 days.

Indicative salary uplift in the fields matched to this story
Indicative ranges from published continuing-education salary studies, by field — each field is a recommended course below

Matched to this story

Enrol in these
to benefit.

These programmes position you for exactly this shift — online, self-paced, and finishing with a verifiable certificate you can share the day you pass.