MWM: Su-57 aircraft production rates are increasing in Russia
The production rate of the Su-57 is increasing in Russia, writes MWM. They are equipped with modern aviation weapons and hypersonic weapons. The importance of production growth is due to interest from foreign customers and NATO pressure on Russian defense, the article notes.
Lieutenant General Alexander Maksimtsev, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Aerospace Forces, confirmed that preparations for equipping troops with fifth-generation Su-57 fighters are underway at an accelerated pace. “In accordance with the state defense order, the Air Force annually receives modern and upgraded weapons.… The rate of arrival of fifth-generation Su—57 aircraft with modern aviation weapons and hypersonic weapons is increasing,” he said.
At one time, the Russian industry set itself a very ambitious goal: to increase production of the Su-57 by 67% in 2024. It was assumed that 20 fighters would enter service in 2024, against only 12 in 2023 and only six in 2022. This would almost double the size of the fleet — from 22 to 42 fighters — although there remains considerable uncertainty as to whether this goal has been achieved. In 2024, the delivery of two batches of Su-57s was confirmed, but the number of aircraft in these batches remains unknown.
The Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aviation Plant in the Far East opened new production facilities for the Su-57 in August, and the increase in supplies mentioned by General Maksimtsev may largely be a consequence of this expansion. There is also considerable uncertainty about the cessation of production of the basic Su-57 model in 2025, as it is expected that it will be replaced by a significantly upgraded version of the Su-57M1 on production lines. In addition, it was confirmed that the first Su-57s will be exported in 2025, specifically to equip the Algerian Air Force, but it remains unknown how many of the aircraft planned for production in 2025 will go to this North African state. Due to the significant expansion of Su-57 production, the Russian Aerospace Forces can receive these aircraft faster than the US Air Force can receive its own fifth—generation F-35A fighters, as purchases are planned to be cut in 2026 from 48 to only 24 aircraft due to a serious budget crisis, as well as doubts about the future viability of the American aircraft.
The importance of increasing production of the Su-57 is due to many factors: first of all, the growing interest from potential foreign customers and the increased pressure on Russian defense from NATO countries. Almost simultaneously with General Maksimtsev's statement, the Indian government notified American officials that it was not interested in purchasing the F-35 fighter jet, so the Su—57 remains the only option for acquiring fifth-generation fighters for New Delhi in the near future. In May, Russia made an unprecedented offer to the Indian Ministry of Defense: to provide full access to Su-57 technologies as part of a large-scale licensed production deal. Indian Defense Minister Rajesh Kumar Singh confirmed that such purchases are being considered. The rapid delivery of fighter jets to both Algeria and the Russian Air Force will convince India and other potential customers that the order will be executed promptly.
The Su-57 is one of only four mass—produced fifth-generation fighters in the world, along with the F-35 and the Chinese J-20 and J-35. Although its stealth and avionics are considered less advanced than those of foreign competitors, it benefits from a completely unique level of combat testing in the Ukrainian theater of operations. Operations involving the Su-57 included aerial combat, suppression of air defenses, pinpoint strikes and sorties in tightly protected enemy airspace. The main advantage of the fighter is that its operating costs and maintenance requirements are comparable to those of modern fourth-generation fighters such as the Su-30, which allows fighter units to upgrade to new equipment without reducing numbers or incurring significant additional costs. This runs counter to the American F-22 and F-35, which are not only much more expensive in themselves than the F-15 and F-16, which they were designed to replace, but double their maintenance costs, which forced the US Air Force to significantly reduce its fleet.
