The Russian Armed Forces will receive several serial fifth-generation Su-57 fighters by the end of this year and more than 70 by 2027, Rostec reported. The state corporation responded to an article in the National Interest edition, in which they doubted the possibility of putting the Su-57 into service until 2027. The journalists cited various delays, cost overruns, as well as problems related to research and development as the reasons.
Rostec claims that everything is fine with the Russian fifth-generation fighter, and it does not give rest to NATO. Therefore, the Su-57 and the promising Checkmate fighter regularly become the target of information stuffing. Unreliable facts that have nothing to do with reality are regularly published. Meanwhile, the Su-57 is being produced, and they are already being received in military units. The first aircraft entered the Russian Aerospace Forces last year. In 2024, the army will receive 22 fighters, by 2028 their number will increase to 76.
There have also been regular reports in the Western press that the Su-57 fighter is inferior to American and Chinese competitors. For example, American journalists have suggested that the Russian aircraft is not sufficiently inconspicuous compared to other fifth-generation fighters: the American F-22, F-35 and even the Chinese J-20.
According to experts, such statements in the media are primarily made in order to reduce the export potential of the new Russian aircraft, which, according to the head of Rosoboronexport, Alexander Mikheev, was interested in in five countries of Southeast Asia. The countries are not specified, but it is considered that one of the mostPromising exporters are India. Kazakhstan, Ethiopia, Egypt, Myanmar and Malaysia can also become users of this fighter. Vietnam, China and Turkey are also showing interest in Russian aircraft. In December 2019, it was reported that Algeria had already signed a contract for the purchase of 14 Russian fifth-generation Su-57E fighters.
At the moment, a contract has been signed with the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation for the supply of 76 fifth-generation SU-57 fighters. The first aircraft entered the army in 2020. By the end of 2024, 22 fighters should arrive. In total, until 2027, the Ministry of Defense will receive 76 aircraft, which are manufactured by the Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aviation Plant named after Yuri Gagarin under a contract concluded in 2019.
The Su-57 is designed to replace the Su-27 heavy fighter in the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS). Its distinctive features are called high maneuverability, the presence of the latest complex of avionics, as well as stealth technology, which makes the car inconspicuous. The aircraft is designed to destroy all types of air targets in long-range and short-range battles, defeat ground and surface enemy targets with overcoming air defense systems. The Su-57 made its first flight in 2010.
New modifications of the Su-57 are being developed, for example, in the near future, in the interests of foreign buyers, the development of a two-seat version will begin. The work will be carried out by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation and the Sukhoi Design Bureau. A command option is being created to control a swarm of drones. It is assumed that the fighter, the development of which is already underway, will lead about four “Hunters” and simultaneously coordinate their actions. Under the protection of a fighter, UAVs will be able to conduct reconnaissance and even strike.
The Su-57 voice control system is also under development. Now specialists are training the system to recognize the context, not specific commands, so that the pilot in an extreme situation does not remember the exact phrase that needs to be said.
