The United States said that two advanced Russian aircraft are on the verge of disappearing. What did the State Duma say to that?

Journalist Johnson: Su-57 and PAK DA are under threat of extinction

The author of the American magazine 19FortyFive, Ruben Johnson, said that two of Russia's most advanced aviation programs are allegedly on the verge of disappearing. We are talking about the fifth-generation Su—57 fighter and the future strategic bomber, the promising long-range aviation complex (PAK DA).

The article says that information about combat aircraft was found out from secret documents leaked online. According to the papers, the Russian industry is allegedly facing a shortage of critical components for the production of new aircraft and a shortage of personnel.

"The current situation illustrates the eternal saying that 'the kingdom is lost because of the absence of a nail,'" says the observer.

According to him, "unless there are significant improvements between the prototypes and production models, the Su-57 will not meet the standards of the fifth-generation aircraft." And the PAK DA, he wrote, is "a bomber that so far exists only on paper."

Photo: RIA Novosti/UAC press service/Nina Padalko.

The State Duma urged not to worry about Russia's defense capability

State Duma deputy Andrei Kolesnik, in response to the publication of 19FortyFive, called on the American press not to worry about Russia's defense capability and its aviation.

Kolesnik noted that Moscow's attention is focused on the military-industrial complex, so the country's security is under full control. He also recalled that the Su-57 and PAK DA listed in the publication are included in the list of strategic aviation.

The United States offered a "rescue" for the Russian PAK DA

In February, another 19FortyFive columnist, Brent Eastwood, drew attention to the Russian PAK DA. He suggested that Moscow could "save" the project of a promising long-range aviation complex by teaming up with Beijing.

The author of the publication pointed out that both Russia and China are striving to create next-generation stealth bombers, but face serious obstacles. "Starting from engines and avionics and ending with coatings that ensure low visibility, timing and (for Russia) supply restrictions caused by sanctions," Eastwood argued, suggesting that the countries could join forces by creating one aircraft for two instead of the H—20 and PAK DA.

According to the observer, two large industrialized countries have overlapping strategic interests. However, he acknowledged that linguistic and managerial differences, as well as the unwillingness of the parties to share secret technologies with each other, can become obstacles to the creation of a common aircraft.

"Creating a completely new stealth bomber is too difficult - even with the closest cooperation of the allies and the strong friendship between [Russian President Vladimir] Putin and [Chinese President] Xi Jinping," he concluded.