- Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation delivered a new batch of upgraded Su-57 fighters to the Russian Ministry of Defense, confirming continued production and fielding of the aircraft.
- The delivery follows reported Ukrainian drone strikes that destroyed one Su-57 and damaged two others, highlighting ongoing attrition of Russia’s fifth-generation fighter fleet.
Russia’s defense industry has delivered a batch of Su-57 fifth-generation fighter aircraft to the Russian Ministry of Defense.
According to United Aircraft Corporation, which operates under Rostec, the aircraft were produced and handed over to the Ministry of Defense as part of ongoing deliveries to the Aerospace Forces. The company said the jets were accepted by technical personnel and completed the full cycle of factory testing before transfer.
The Russian Ministry of Defense said pilots from the Aerospace Forces tested the aircraft across various operating modes following acceptance. The aircraft were delivered in what the manufacturer described as a “new technical configuration,” reflecting upgrades to avionics and the integrated weapons complex.
A Su-57 pilot from the Russian Aerospace Forces said in a statement:
“For the implementation of target tasks set by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation for the supply of especially in-demand samples of weapons and military equipment to the troops, the crews of the Aerospace Forces completed the acceptance of Su-57 aircraft in a new technical configuration. I thank the representatives of the plant and all employees of the United Aircraft Corporation of Rostec who took part in the creation, assembly, and preparation of aviation equipment for their professionalism. The aircraft has already shown itself well during the special military operation. The new technical configuration will contribute to expanding the range of tasks for which this type of aircraft is used. The prospective capabilities incorporated in the aviation weapons complex make it possible to employ new types of aviation weapons.”
The Su-57, known by the NATO reporting name Felon, is Russia’s fifth-generation multirole fighter designed to engage air, ground, and maritime targets. The aircraft is intended for round-the-clock operations, including in adverse weather conditions and in environments with active electronic countermeasures, according to official descriptions.
United Aircraft Corporation said the latest batch reflects continued refinement of the platform. The aircraft’s updated systems are intended to expand the range of missions assigned to the type, with particular emphasis on weapons integration and operational flexibility.
Vadim Badekha, chief executive of United Aircraft Corporation, said:
“The fifth-generation aviation complex Su-57 is the best aircraft in its class, but we are not stopping at what has been achieved. The fighter has undergone a major evolution and today continues to be improved — the capabilities of the aircraft’s weapons and systems are being expanded. This already allows the solution of the most important tasks, demonstrating efficiency and excellent maneuvering and combat qualities.”
Russian officials have previously stated that the Su-57 has been used during the war in Ukraine. Open-source reporting has indicated that Russia has suffered losses to the Su-57 fleet as a result of Ukrainian drone strikes. According to those reports, one Su-57 has been destroyed and two additional aircraft sustained damage in separate attacks on Russian territory.