According to Moscow’s Tass news agency, the first contracts for the export version of Russia’s fifth-generation Su-57 fighter jet have reportedly been signed. This was also announced to Russian journalists by Rosoboronexport Director General Alexander Mikheev during his visit to the Airshow China exhibition held in Zhuhai, a city in China’s southern Guangdong province.
“The system of military-technical cooperation should bring new types of weapons and military equipment to the market. For the Su-57, among others, we have already signed contracts, the first for this aircraft“, Mikheev stated, emphasizing the high interest in this machine, presented abroad for the first time. However, he did not specify the number of aircraft included in the contracts or the countries involved. Rumors suggest China and Algeria as potential buyers.
The Rosoboronexport director general also outlined the expectations and impact of showcasing Russian equipment in China. “There is only one economic effect: our presence in the markets, the fact that our partners from friendly countries want to buy Russian weapons—reliable and proven. This consequently supports our industry with export orders, enabling further development and the creation of new models for the next 10-15 years“, Mikheev explained.
Mikheev also highlighted the importance of military-technical cooperation between Russia and China in strengthening and developing bilateral relations. He described this cooperation as strategic, based on solid and time-tested principles of equality, mutual benefit, and trust, with due regard for the interests of both parties and not directed against third states.
Rostec, the state corporation managing Russian defense enterprises, described the Su-57E as the highlight of the Russian exhibit at the Chinese air show. They emphasized the aircraft’s ability to use high-precision guided weapons, low observability capabilities, supersonic cruise speed without afterburner (supercruise), internal weapon bays, stealth coating, and state-of-the-art onboard avionics.
Despite these features, some doubts remain, particularly about the aircraft’s engine. The Su-57 is expected to be equipped with AL-51 engines, which are not yet in mass production but are crucial to achieving supercruise capability for the fifth-generation Su-57 fighter. Currently, only the US F-22 fighter jet possesses this feature, capable of cruising at Mach 1.8.