Stealth Drama You Can't Hide: Russia's invasion of Ukraine has highlighted significant flaws in its military equipment, casting doubt on the quality of Russian weaponry, including the Su-57 "Felon" fighter jet.

-The Su-57, Russia's first fifth-generation fighter, has faced production delays, quality concerns, and skepticism about its stealth capabilities.

Bottomline: With only 32 Su-57s built since its first flight in 2010, and ongoing international sanctions hindering development, the aircraft is unlikely to attract much interest on the global market, especially compared to its more advanced Western counterparts like the F-35.

Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine has not gone well. Not only have Putin’s forces failed to gain meaningful territory, but they’ve failed to control the airspace above the conflict.

The invasion has degenerated into a slogging war of attrition that is approaching the three-year mark. The conflict has made the shortcomings of Russia’s military equipment glaringly obvious to the global community – including to prospective foreign buyers.

Questions have always lingered about Russia’s ability to manufacture quality weaponry. Russian equipment is generally viewed as a cheaper alternative to American hardware. The Russo-Ukraine War has only served to reinforce that perception, with Ukraine relying on Western tech to mount a stubborn resistance while the country’s roadsides and fields are littered with smoldering Soviet and Russian tank hulls. The war has not been an effective advertisement for Russian equipment. This is one reason the Su-57 “Felon” is unlikely to attract much of an export market.

Pitching the Su-57

The Su-57 is Russia’s first fifth-generation fighter. Known to NATO as the Felon, the Su-57 first flew in 2010. Yet 14 years later, the Russians have only managed to build thirty-two Su-57s. Production didn’t begin until 2019, and a series of setbacks and delays hampered the rollout.

But despite the time and resources invested and the frustrations incurred, the finished Su-57 is hardly on par with fifth-generation peers like the F-22 or F-35. The Su-57’s stealth capabilities in particular attracted skepticism, while production delays forced the installation of the same AL-41F1 engine found in the fourth-generation Su-35. International sanctions imposed in wake of the Crimean annexation made construction of a fifth-generation-quality sensor suite impossible.

Still, the Russians are trying to drum up interest on the international market. “The interest of foreign countries in buying the Su-57 is in place,” a Russian official told state media outlet TASS. “Relevant requests are being received.”

With just thirty-two Su-57s made, it seems unlikely the Kremlin will have many fifth-generation fighters to spare for international clients—assuming there is any demand. 

About the Author: Harrison Kass, Defense Expert 

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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