What You Need to Know: Russia has announced the first overseas sale of its Su-57 fifth-generation fighter at the Zhuhai Air Show, sparking speculation over the buyer’s identity. The Su-57, featuring stealth, supermaneuverability, and supercruise, has faced delays and limited combat use.

China - Buyer of the Su-57? While China hosted the announcement, it’s unlikely they are the buyer, as their Chengdu J-20 fulfills similar roles, and their resources are focused on domestic advancements like the sixth-gen "White Emperor." Algeria, previously reported as interested, emerges as the most likely buyer, with other potential candidates including Iran or India.

-This marks a significant milestone in Russia's export strategy for advanced fighter aircraft.

Russia Finds First Export Buyer for Su-57 Stealth Fighter

The Russians have found an export customer for the Su-57 fifth-generation fighter. 

The deal was announced at the Zhuhai Air Show in China, marking the first time the Su-57 will be sold overseas. However, one key detail was omitted from the sale report: the buyer.  

Naturally, rampant speculation has resulted, and questions abound. Who bought the Su-57? Could China be the buyer?  

Who Bought the Su-57? 

The Su-57 is Russia’s first fifth-generation fighter. 

Built around twin engines, the multirole Su-57 features the hallmark capabilities of fifth-generation fighters: stealth, supermaneuverability, supercruise, integrated avionics, and an internal weapons bay.  

Production delays and budget overruns have beleaguered the Su-57 rollout; the jet first flew in 2010, but has been slow to join Putin’s active-duty forces and has seen just limited action in the Russo-Ukraine War. Developed, in part, for the export market, the Su-57 is still yet to be shipped overseas. But clearly, someone is now interested in procuring the Su-57. 

Let’s consider who that might be. 

Only three nations have developed their fifth-generation fighters: the U.S., Russia, and China. We can safely say that the U.S. will not be purchasing the Su-57, and China has the Chengdu J-20 Mighty Dragon, a fifth-generation platform, clearly inspired from, if not directly derived from, the American F-35 JSF. 

And China unveiled their White Emperor prototype this week, a new jet that could represent Xi’s bid to field a sixth-generation fighter.  

In the past, before China’s domestic aerospace productivity and capability were so high, Russian imports were courted and even copied without license. But now, China is less dependent upon Russia for top-tier aerospace technology. In fact, in some respects, the Su-57 may be inferior to the Chinese-made J-20, so a Chinese purchase may not make much sense. 

Regardless, China seems to have crossed a threshold past which its resources are dedicated solely to the enhancement of its systems, rather than import. When was the last time Russia or the U.S. imported foreign aircraft? China may have now reached that point, too.   

Then again, coordination and transactions between Russia and China make sense geopolitically. Russian officials were in China last week for the airshow; Sergei Shoigu, Russia’s former defense minister, said during a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi that Beijing and Moscow need to, “counter the dual containment policy directed against Russia and China by the United States and its satellites [and the] two sides must stand firm in solidarity.”  

Still, it seems unlikely that China is the buyer. More likely suitors could be Algeria, Iran, or even India. Algeria was reportedly in discussions to buy the Su-57, so, let’s mark them as the most likely suitor. 

About the Author: Harrison Kass 

Harrison Kass is a defense and national security writer with over 1,000 total pieces on issues involving global affairs. An attorney, pilot, guitarist, and minor pro hockey player, Harrison joined the US Air Force as a Pilot Trainee but was medically discharged. Harrison holds a BA from Lake Forest College, a JD from the University of Oregon, and an MA from New York University. Harrison listens to Dokken. 

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