Designated by NATO as the “Felon,” Russia’s fifth-generation Su-57 represents the nation’s first stealth aircraft.
Moscow has struggled to find foreign client states for its self-proclaimed top-of-the-line fifth-generation fighter series. In order to sweeten a deal in the works with India, Russia’s state-owned United Aircraft Corporation revealed that it would provide New Delhi with unprecedented access to the platform’s source code. If the potential acquisition comes to fruition, the Indian Defense Ministry would be able to possess full autonomy of the Su-57s it receives. Although the Russian jet’s source code is not believed to be as complex as its American-made F-35 Lightning II counterpart, its source code is still superior to its predecessors.
Nearly three-quarters of India’s existing fleet of military aircraft are of Russian origin. The defense ties between the two nations are quite extensive, making the potential delivery of the export version of the Su-57 plausible. India’s Air Force currently flies the Su-30MKL, MiG-29, and MiG-21, which were all delivered by Russia. Amidst its ongoing invasion of Ukraine, the sale of the Su-57 would bode well for the Kremlin’s defense budget. Previously, Russia has struggled to garner solid interest in its fifth-generation jet. In 2021, Moscow made a concerted effort to try and gain suitors for its Su-57 export platform in the Middle East. While the United Arab Emirates initially expressed interest in the fighter, the Gulf state ultimately turned its back on its Russian platform. At the 2023 Dubai Air Show, the head of Rosoboronexport, Alexander Mikheev, said, “We are discussing cooperation with various partners for a wide range of products, which includes the Su-35. We are actively pushing these aircraft in the global market, especially in Middle Eastern countries, by flexibly adapting to the demands of potential clients. However, after 2021, there has been no communication with UAE regarding their acquisition of the Su-35.”
An Overview of the Su-57
Designated by NATO as the “Felon,” Russia’s fifth-generation Su-57 represents the nation’s first stealth aircraft. The platform is expected to replace the MiG-29 and Su-27 down the line, incorporating super cruise, supermaneuverability, and integrated avionics. When the Felon was first developed, two Saturn/Rybinsk AL-31F1 after-burning turbofan engines powered the platform. Eventually, the more sophisticated Izdeliye 30 was incorporated instead, providing a greater amount of thrust.
The Russian fifth-generation platform can reach speeds in excess of Mach 2.0 (times the speed of sound), which is much faster than the American-made F-35 Lightning II fighter. However, while the Felon may be faster, it certainly is not as stealthy as its American counterparts, including the F-22 Raptor. The Russian fighter’s radar cross-section is larger than its near peers, making it easier for enemy airframes to detect.
In terms of armament power, the Su-57 is more lethal than its Soviet-era predecessors. Analysts believed that the jet’s wing-root bays are designed to carry the K-74M2 infrared-guided air-to-air missile. As explained by The War Zone, “The K-74M2 is optimized for internal carriage by the Su-57, with reduced dimensions and it also adds a new infrared seeker from the Russian Azov AOMZ company.” This modified missile notably has a larger range compared to its R-73 and R-74 sister variants.
About the author: Maya Carlin
Maya Carlin, a Senior Editor for 19FortyFive, is an analyst with the Center for Security Policy and a former Anna Sobol Levy Fellow at IDC Herzliya in Israel. She has by-lines in many publications, including The National Interest, Jerusalem Post, and Times of Israel. You can follow her on Twitter: @MayaCarlin.
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