Russia Announces First Delivery Of Su-57 Fighter Jet To Foreign Customer

Su-57 © Marina Lystseva/ТАSS

Russia has confirmed the first ever export of its Sukhoi Su-57 fifth-generation stealth fighter jet to an unnamed foreign buyer.

United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) Director General Vadim Badeha told the state broadcaster Pyerviy Kanal on November 18 that a foreign customer had already received two Su-57 fighter jets.

“Our foreign customer and partner has already taken delivery of the first two aircraft. They have begun combat duty and are demonstrating their best qualities. The customer is satisfied,” Badeha said.

A multirole fighter capable of aerial combat as well as ground and maritime strike, the Su-57 incorporates stealth, supermaneuverability, supercruise, integrated avionics and large payload capacity.

The fighter jet’s avionics are built around two systems: the Sh-121 multifunctional integrated radio electronic system, MIRES, which integrates multiple active electronically scanned array radars, with a range of up to 400 kilometers, and electronic warfare means; as well as the 101KS “Atoll” electro-optical system, which incorporates targeting, early warning and jamming capabilities.

In addition, the fighter can carry a variety of advanced long-range weapons, including the R-37M air-to-air missile, the Kh-69 land-attack cruise missile, the Kh-58UShK anti-radiation missile and the Kh-35U anti-ship cruise missile.

File image.

Badeha did not identify the country which received the Su-57 fighter jets, but Russian media reports suggested Algeria as a possible buyer.

Algeria’s interest in the expert version of the fifth-generation fighter jet, the Su-57E, was first reported in 2019, when it was said that the country wanted to purchase at least 14.

Speaking at the China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition last year, Rosoboronexport CEO Alexander Mikheyev confirmed that export contracts for the Su-57 had been signed. Algeria appeared again at the time, although it was reported that the country was looking to acquire 12 fighter jets.

In February of this year, Algeria confirmed its purchase of the Su-57. The announcement was reportedly made through Algerian state television, which said that Algerian pilots were undergoing training in Russia, with deliveries expected before the end of the year.

Algeria is known for keeping its military purchases under tight wraps, thus it won’t be surprising if the Su-57s were indeed delivered to it.

Earlier this year, satellite images revealed that the country took delivery of multiple Su-35S fighter jets. Other photos from Russia unveiled that several Su-34 fighter bombers were built for the country. No official announcement was made in either of the cases.

The Su-57 will bring the capabilities of the Algerian Air Force, already among the largest in Northern Africa and the Middle East, to a whole new level.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence

NOW hosted at southfront.press

Previously, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.org.

The .org domain name had been blocked by the US (NATO) (https://southfront.press/southfront-org-blocked-by-u-s-controlled-global-internet-supervisor/) globally, outlawed and without any explanation

Back before that, from 2013 to 2015, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.com

SOUTHFRONT.PRESS

MORE ON THIS TOPIC: