ANJ, September 2 - The Sukhoi Su-57, Russia’s flagship fifth-generation stealth fighter, was envisioned as a cornerstone of modern aerial warfare, designed to rival advanced Western aircraft like the U.S. F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II. Boasting stealth capabilities, supermaneuverability, supercruise, and advanced avionics, the Su-57 was intended to project Russian technological prowess and secure a significant share of the global arms market. However, despite the high demand for fifth-generation fighters, as evidenced by over 1,000 orders for the F-35 from 19 countries, the Su-57 has struggled to attract international buyers. Reports indicate that only one foreign order, potentially from Algeria for six units with an option for eight more, has been secured. The contrast between the F-35’s export success and the Su-57’s struggles highlights a combination of technical, economic, and geopolitical challenges that have hampered Russia’s ability to market its premier fighter jet.
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One of the primary reasons for the Su-57’s lackluster export performance is its technical and production limitations. The aircraft, which first flew in 2010, has faced persistent delays in development, particularly with its advanced AL-51F1 engine, which is still not fully integrated into production models. Current Su-57s rely on older AL-41F1 engines, which compromise its stealth and performance capabilities compared to Western counterparts. Additionally, Western sanctions imposed since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine have disrupted access to critical electronic components, such as microchips and radar subsystems, leading to incomplete deliveries lacking key targeting systems. For instance, documents reveal that Su-57s delivered in 2021 and 2022 were accepted without the 101KS-N electro-optical targeting subsystem, diminishing their advertised capabilities. These production setbacks, compounded by a small fleet size, estimated at just 15–20 operational units in the Russian Aerospace Forces, undermine confidence in Russia’s ability to deliver reliable, combat-ready aircraft to foreign buyers. The high cost, approximately $42.1 million per unit, further deters potential customers when compared to more established and affordable Russian alternatives like the Su-35S and Su-30SM.
Geopolitical factors also play a significant role in the Su-57’s export struggles. Russia has traditionally relied on countries like India and Algeria for arms exports, but both have shown hesitation. India, once a major partner in the Su-57’s development through the Fifth-Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) program, withdrew in 2018, citing deficiencies in stealth, avionics, and radar performance. India’s shift toward indigenous projects like the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) and its preference for Western platforms, such as the French Rafale, reflect a broader trend among potential buyers to prioritize proven systems or avoid entanglement with U.S. sanctions under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). Algeria, while reportedly interested, faces economic constraints and the risk of sanctions, which could complicate payments and delivery. Moreover, Russia’s cautious use of the Su-57 in combat, primarily in limited roles in Syria and Ukraine to avoid losses, has failed to demonstrate its operational effectiveness, further eroding buyer confidence. The loss of at least one Su-57 to a Ukrainian drone strike in June 2024 at Akhtubinsk airfield underscores its vulnerability and the program’s fragility.
The Su-57’s export challenges reflect broader systemic issues within Russia’s defense industry and its global standing. While Russia has pitched the Su-57E to countries like India with attractive terms, including technology transfer and local production, these offers have not overcome skepticism about the aircraft’s capabilities and Russia’s production capacity. The Komsomolsk-on-Amur plant, the primary production site, is ill-equipped to scale up output, with only a handful of jets delivered annually. In contrast, competitors like the U.S. benefit from robust production lines and extensive combat testing, while China’s J-35A and Turkey’s KAAN have garnered interest despite being less mature. Russia’s economic constraints, exacerbated by sanctions and the ongoing war in Ukraine, limit its ability to subsidize exports or invest in the Su-57’s development. As global demand for stealth fighters grows, the Su-57’s inability to compete with the F-35’s proven track record, coupled with Russia’s declining influence in the arms market, suggests that the Felon may remain a prestige project rather than a global contender.