 |
| the Reason Russia's Su-57s are Still in Small Numbers |
International Military - The Russian Air Force has now received six Sukhoi Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jets. Where the aircraft was serially produced and first delivered in December 2020. The Su-57 became the first fighter of its generation to use standoff missiles in combat. However, the program remains well behind schedule. Its entry into the service was originally scheduled for 2015.
While the previous fleet size of 50 fighters is expected to be reached in 2020 along with further production for export. The fleet is then slated to reach 200 aircraft by 2025.
Read Also: Accelerate Addition of Su-57 Fighter, UAC Expands System Test and Production Facilities at KnAAZ
The contrast between previous plans for the induction of the Su-57 and today's plans is significant, with the fleet scheduled to reach 22 aircraft by the end of 2024 and 76 aircraft by the end of 2027. This indicates that it will receive an average of 18 aircraft per year from 2024- 2027, representing a higher production rate than existing Russian fighters.
Quoted from Military Watch Magazine, such a production rate could facilitate the delivery of 14-18 fighter jets to the Air Force per year after 2027 depending on export demand, with exports in the 2030s expected to be quite large. The main problem stemming from the postponement of the Su-57 program is that by the time it is fielded in relatively small numbers, China and the United States are thought to have already started fielding the sixth-generation fighter, which is expected to enter service around 2030.
The problem is that much of the Russian fighter fleet inherited from the Soviet Union, consisting of MiG-29s and Su-27s, has been replaced by the Su-35, Su-30SM/SM2 and Su-30M2. And that all upgrades the Su-27 derivative, leaving less room in the fleet for the new Su-57 units.
Read Also: Russia Develops 6th Generation Fighter Which Based On Su-57 Felon Fighter
Quoted from Military Today, the Sukhoi Su-57 is Russia's new fighter aircraft. This started the life of the PAK FA (or Future Frontline Aircraft Systems). Initially the PAK FA was considered an air superiority fighter, but it turns out that this aircraft has a secondary ground attack capability.
The new stealth aircraft is designed to replace the aging MiG-29 and Su-27 fighters. It could be seen as Russia's answer to the US F-22 Raptor.
However, the layout of the Su-57 is generally conventional. This multi-role fighter uses stealth formation to deflect radar waves. Meanwhile, weapons are stored in the internal weapons bay, which does not harm radar stealth.