Moscow, August 19 - Russia’s Su-57 Felon, a fifth-generation stealth fighter developed by Sukhoi under the PAK FA program, was designed to rival advanced Western aircraft like the U.S. F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II. Priced at approximately $37 million per unit, the Su-57 boasts stealth technology, supermaneuverability, supercruise capability, and integrated avionics, making it a multirole platform for air superiority, ground attacks, and maritime strikes. Its development began in the early 2000s, with the first prototype flight in 2010, and it entered limited service with the Russian Aerospace Forces in 2020. However, the program has faced significant challenges, including technical difficulties, budget constraints, and production delays. By 2023, only about 12 aircraft had been delivered, far short of the 76 planned by 2028 under a 2019 contract. The Su-57’s advanced features, such as its N036 Byelka radar and internal weapons bays for missiles like the Kh-101 and R-37M, aim to enhance its combat effectiveness. Still, its operational deployment has been limited, with cautious use in conflicts like Syria and Ukraine to avoid losses and protect sensitive technologies.
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Western sanctions imposed since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine have severely disrupted the Su-57’s production, particularly by restricting access to critical Western avionics and microelectronics. These components, including German-made radar calibrators like the MPPU-50 and specific power supplies, are essential for the jet’s advanced systems. A 2024 investigation into Mikropribor, a key supplier of avionics modules, revealed that the loss of Western microchip imports delayed deliveries of the 101KS-N systems, forcing Russia to rely on less reliable domestic or Chinese alternatives. This has led to claims that the Su-57 is being deployed in an incomplete state, with compromised combat readiness. For instance, the absence of advanced ground-targeting pods has limited its effectiveness in Ukraine, where Russia has primarily used older Su-35 and Su-30 aircraft to avoid risking its small Su-57 fleet. The Komsomolsk-on-Amur plant, where the jets are built, struggles with low production capacity, exacerbated by sanctions on titanium, precision tools, and semiconductors, further slowing output to single-digit numbers annually.
Despite these setbacks, Russia has continued to push the Su-57’s development, with upgrades like the Su-57M variant introduced in 2025, featuring AI-assisted systems and improved radar. The new Izdeliye 30 engine, intended to enhance stealth and performance, has faced delays and is not expected to enter mass production until at least 2025. Russia has also attempted to bolster the jet’s export prospects, marketing the Su-57E variant to countries like Algeria, India, and the UAE, though no confirmed deals have materialized due to sanctions and concerns over technological maturity. The jet’s high cost and production issues make it a challenging sell compared to the more battle-tested and widely exported F-35. Russia’s efforts to circumvent sanctions through third-party transactions or Chinese components have been time-consuming and costly, increasing the jet’s price and further hampering production rates. The Su-57’s limited presence in Ukraine, often confined to launching long-range missiles from Russian airspace, reflects Moscow’s reluctance to expose the aircraft to combat risks, which could damage its reputation and export potential.
The Su-57 program remains a symbol of Russia’s ambition to maintain technological parity with the West and China, but its challenges highlight broader issues in the country’s military-industrial complex. Sanctions have exposed Russia’s reliance on foreign technology, while economic strains from the ongoing Ukraine conflict limit resources for advanced projects. The Su-57’s development has been further complicated by India’s withdrawal from a joint production deal in 2018, citing concerns over costs and capabilities. Although Russia claims progress in streamlining production and expanding facilities, the jet’s future remains uncertain. With only a small number of operational aircraft and persistent technical hurdles, the Su-57 struggles to fulfill its role as a game-changer in modern air combat. Its limited combat experience and incomplete systems raise questions about its effectiveness compared to Western counterparts, leaving Russia to balance the need for a prestigious flagship fighter with the practical demands of a strained defense industry.