Export Version of Russia's Advanced Sukhoi 57 Fighter Jet Appears at China's Aerospace Exhibition

For the first time, Russia unveiled the advanced fifth-generation Sukhoi 57 fighter jet outside its borders. Two units of this modern Russian-made fighter have been sent to the Zhuhai Aerospace Exhibition in China. On Tuesday, November 13, during the first day of this year's exhibition, an export version of the Sukhoi 57 took to the skies and performed aerobatic maneuvers. Development and completion of this fifth-generation fighter began about twelve years ago, and it is reported that its first operational model flew in 2019, approximately five years ago. However, the Russian Ministry of Defense had not released any images of this aircraft's flight. Previously, unconfirmed reports had suggested that Russia had used this fighter in the Ukraine war; however, this month, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation published a photo of this modern fifth-generation aircraft flying alongside an advanced S-70 drone. After the drone's crash within Ukrainian borders, speculations arose about the Sukhoi 57's role in its 'intentional' downing. It was suggested that the Sukhoi 57 aimed to prevent the Ukrainian army, and possibly NATO, from accessing the wreckage and technology used in it. Sergey Chemezov, CEO of the Russian state technology company Rostec, hinted at the presence of this fighter in the Ukraine war, claiming that the Sukhoi 57 is the only fifth-generation fighter in the world that has demonstrated all of its 'unique' capabilities in the battlefield. Earlier, satellite images from late spring this year showed a Sukhoi 57 outside its hangar and on the runway at the Akhtubinsk military airport in southern Russia. Ukraine claimed that it destroyed this Sukhoi 57 in a drone attack on this airport in the Astrakhan region, releasing two images from June 9 and 10. The Russian Ministry of Defense did not confirm this news, but a specialized fighter jet Telegram channel, reportedly run by a retired Russian pilot, confirmed the attack on this airbase without providing details on the extent of damage to the fifth-generation fighter. At the Zhuhai exhibition, Rostec emphasized the high capabilities of this aircraft in terms of stealth, advanced defensive systems, and the ability to fire advanced weapons with high precision while flying at supersonic speeds, calling the export model of this aircraft a milestone for Russia's presence at this exhibition. According to the manufacturer, this fifth-generation fighter, utilizing advanced electronic systems, including a computer known as 'electronic pilot,' a radar spread throughout the composite body of the aircraft, and an artificial intelligence system that assists the pilot in flight and weapon preparation, positions itself as a giant in the aerospace and military technology industries. NATO has designated a code name 'Felon' or 'Killer' for this fighter. The F-35, produced by Lockheed Martin, is considered the most important fifth-generation fighter of the United States and its allies, which, despite being smaller and lighter, has a shorter operational range and ceiling compared to its eastern rival.