Russia secures foreign contracts for Su‑57 fighter jets
Russia has signed its first contracts to deliver the fifth-generation Su-57 fighter jet to foreign clients, announced by Aleksandr Mikheyev, president of the state arms exporter Rosoboronexport. However, it is unknown which country has decided to purchase the Russian fighter jet and in what quantity.
The Russian economy, affected by sanctions following the Kremlin's war in Ukraine, is struggling with numerous difficulties. Loss of access to Western markets and technologies has forced Moscow to open up to new markets.
In November, the Russians boasted of a success that the Kremlin had not achieved in the technology sector for years. The head of Rosoboronexport, who participated in the Airshow China in Zhuhai, admitted that Russia signed the first contracts for the Su-57. He emphasized that the fighter enjoyed significant interest at the shows.
Russians announce success. "The only one in the world"
"The economic effect is that we have our presence on the market and our partners from friendly countries want to buy Russian reliable and proven armament [...] so that we can develop further and from generation to generation we used to create new products for the next 10-15 years," said Mikheyev, quoted by TASS.
Sergey Chemezov, CEO of the Russian state defence corporation Rostec, stated that it is the" only fifth-generation fighter jet" in the world that has proven effective against modern Western air defence systems, including Patriot, NASAMS, and IRIS-T.
Su-57. these countries may buy fighters from Russia
The Su-57, designated as "Felon" in NATO code, is a Russian multirole fifth-generation fighter jet designed to attack targets in the air, at sea, and on land. It reaches twice the speed of sound (about 2,500 km/h). The Russians pride themselves on its stealth systems, among other features. The machine, measuring approximately 20 metres, can fly at an altitude of 20,000 metres. The Su-57 was initially intended to be a response to the American F-22 Raptor.
Portalobronny.se.pl speculates that Moscow's contractors may include Iran, Turkey, Algeria, the United Arab Emirates, or North Korea. "There was speculation that China might be tempted by the Su-57, but they have their own fifth-generation fighters, the J-20 'Mighty Dragon' and the recently presented J-35A, which further excludes a contract," reads the report.
