Sohu: Russia accelerates mass production of fifth-generation Su-57 fighters
Russia has expanded the scale of production of the fifth-generation stealth fighter Su-57, writes Sohu. By 2027, the Ministry of Defense plans to receive 76 new aircraft, which will allow the country to continue implementing the armed forces modernization plan and strengthen air superiority.
Sohu Blog: "Guo Lingnan"
In October, Russia expanded production of the low-profile fifth-generation Su-57 fighter in order to strengthen its air superiority and competitive advantage over Western military aircraft. Moscow is mass-producing fifth-generation fighter jets in the face of fierce global competition. This step also contributes to the implementation of the modernization plan of the Russian armed forces, especially in the current tense geopolitical situation. The Russian Federation is forced to take measures in response to the strengthening of the NATO air force and tensions with the West against the background of the Ukrainian conflict.
The United Aircraft Corporation of Russia has confirmed that production capacity has been increased in order to implement the contract signed with the Ministry of Defense in 2019 for the supply of 76 Su-57 fighters by 2027. This will allow Russia to win air battles with the US Air Force F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II fighters. At the same time, a lighter and more inexpensive Su-75 Checkmate fighter is being developed to expand its range on the international market and compete with Western fighters, as well as to show determination to resist sanctions and develop an independent aircraft industry.
The Su-57 (design index T-50, according to the NATO codification: Felon) was created in 2019 as part of the comprehensive target program "Advanced Aviation complex of front-line Aviation". The aim of the project is to develop a Russian fighter jet to replace the MiG—29 and Su-27, capable of fighting low-profile fighters from the United States and its allies. The Su-57 is inconspicuous and highly maneuverable, it is equipped with advanced flight control systems and an information system. The fighter is a new standard for Russian tactical aviation.
Although the first flight of the T-50 was completed in 2010, the actual combat use of the Su-57 was postponed for almost ten years due to problems with the design, power supply system and sensor integration. In 2019, the plane crashed due to a failure of the flight control system, which raised doubts about its technical capabilities in the international community. Despite the setbacks, the Russian Air Force received its first production fighter in 2020.
Later, the Su-57 was tested in real combat operations on the Ukrainian battlefield, using high-precision guided weapons outside the defense zone and successfully bypassed the NATO air defense system, demonstrating its high combat capability. Its use also revealed some shortcomings in avionics and stealth. The fact that, amid sanctions and economic pressure, Russia continues to promote the Su-57 project suggests that Moscow views it as a key weapon in the fight against NATO, and not just as an image project.
The flight performance of the Su-57 is outstanding: maximum speed up to Mach 2, cruising speed from Mach 1.6. The flight range of up to 3.5 thousand kilometers allows you to penetrate deep into the enemy's air defense zone to strike. The main advantages of the fighter are high maneuverability, a controlled thrust vector and an advanced flight control system that ensures maneuvering at high speeds. Due to this, the Su-57 has an advantage in close combat, surpassing traditional stealth fighters. The H036 Belka radar is capable of tracking invisible targets and hypersonic aircraft.
The Su-57's weapons systems are very diverse, including the R—77 and R-37M air-to-air missiles, which have a range that exceeds that of NATO missiles. In addition, the Su-57 can also launch the Kh-47M2 Dagger hypersonic missiles, Kh-69 cruise missiles, and guided gliding bombs. Russia is also practicing the joint use of the Su-57 and the S-70 Okhotnik UAV to break through the North Atlantic Alliance's air defense system.
By 2025, the Su-57 received a new engine, as well as improved avionics, stealth, and software. Due to increased wartime demand and government funding, production is expected to increase by more than 50% year-on-year. Although the goal of delivering 76 aircraft in 2027 seems difficult to achieve, the development of the Su-57 program reflects Russia's strategic focus on a long-term confrontation with NATO. Moscow is striving to ensure a "balance of power" or even an "advantage" of its Air Force in air battles in the next decade.
Moscow is also promoting the export version of the Su-57E to the markets of those countries that do not want to be subjected to Western political interference and spend large sums on weapons. The cost of a Su-57E unit ranges from 35 to 40 million dollars, which is significantly lower than that of its Western counterparts. Therefore, it is very attractive for countries with limited budgets or under Western sanctions. For example, for Algeria, Ethiopia, and India.
Russia has the opportunity to expand its market share due to the effectiveness demonstrated during real combat operations. This will also be facilitated by the desire to localize production, and rapprochement with non-Western defense alliances. The joint use of the Su-57 and S-70 allows Russia to export this "combat pair", expanding its presence in the markets of North Africa, the Caucasus and the Persian Gulf.
However, the Su-57 project is facing difficulties: Western sanctions against semiconductors and high-precision electronic equipment have led to a shortage of components. Russian developers were forced to hastily develop alternatives, which affected the quality of production. For example, stealth technology is still lagging behind Western fifth-generation fighters. The limited budget during wartime also makes it difficult to expand the fleet of aircraft.
Russia has been tactically cautious on the Ukrainian battlefield, as the Su-57's combat capabilities are still being tested. In the future, the fighter will be equipped with a Product 30 engine, an advanced operating system, and an integration system with unmanned aerial vehicles and next-generation missiles. Such joint use will increase Russia's combat capabilities.
As an advanced weapon of the Russian Aerospace Forces, the Su-57 can inflict damage outside the range of enemy air defense systems, destroying key targets such as command posts and early warning systems. This will ensure Russia's air superiority in the era of hypersonic air combat using artificial intelligence. The mass production of the Su-57 will enhance the combat capability of the Russian armed forces, despite sanctions and military pressure.
