The Sukhoi Su-57 Felon was Russia’s ambitious attempt at the fifth-generation stealth fighter elite — a craft packed full of advanced tech to place Russian aerospace once again in the news and challenge America’s best and brightest fighter planes like the F-22 and F-35. But it’s not all smooth sailing. Instead of soaring on high, the Su-57 has faced setbacks, production problems, and questions about its role in the fast-paced world of today’s military.
The Su-57 project was started as early as the 2000s under the PAK FA program. It was to create a multi-role fighter that would dominate the air, attack targets on the ground, and perform reconnaissance. It featured stealth technology, a lot of lightweight composite materials, hidden armament bays, and cutting-edge avionics.
The plane was designed to be incredibly maneuverable in the air, with smart systems onboard — some went so far as calling the flight computer an “electronic co-pilot” — and radar spread all across the airframe to watch out for threats coming in from all angles.
Artificial intelligence was built into its communication and data systems so that pilots could get ahead of their competition and make fast decisions under difficult conditions. Russia’s state producers asserted that the technology made it possible for the plane to send encrypted information at high rates, helping to increase reconnaissance and combat effectiveness.
On paper, the Su-57 is impressive. It has a top speed of twice the speed of sound, a range of over 2,000 miles, and can accommodate hypersonic missiles and precise smart weapons. Its sensors can track multiple targets at once, and its artificial intelligence can learn from mission results to be a more effective tactician and help maintain the plane out of harm’s way. Its slender, angled shape with radar-absorbing materials and engines concealed within is intended to make it invisible to enemy radar, especially head-on.
But in reality, it has not been smooth sailing. Sanctions from the West have bitten Russia, keeping it from accessing key components like cutting-edge electronics and special materials employed in order to attain stealth. The Su-57’s radar, which was initially built based on German technology, is most affected. Efforts to replace these components with imports from other countries have not been straightforward, and there is doubt about the availability of these alternatives.
Because of these problems, very few Su-57s are operational. By late 2024, only about 22 had been delivered, including test and production models. Official targets for attaining higher numbers in subsequent years now seem unrealistic. Every Su-57 is a treasure — when one of them was hit in an attack in the Astrakhan region, it was losing an expensive part of Russia’s cutting-edge fighter capability. Replacing these planes is time-consuming and expensive, with limited spares, while Russia churns out more proven aircraft like the Su-30SM2 and Su-35S to fill gaps.
In action, the Su-57 has had a limited role in the war in Ukraine. Russia has been cautious about risking its precious few jets in contested airspace, not wanting to lose expensive, advanced technology and damage the jet’s global reputation. That self-restraint has meant the Su-57 has had little impact so far. Instead, Russia employs upgraded older jets, which may not be as advanced but are abundant and less expensive to repair.
As for exports to foreign nations, it has taken some time. Algeria has been the first customer, buying six Su-57E fighter aircraft, with pilots training in Russia, and talks of follow-on purchases. It is partly a question of keeping pace with fellow regional actors who possess advanced fighters. But the order is small, and there are no other sizable sales in the offing. India, which had initially planned to co-design with Russia a fighter jet, pulled out in 2018, unhappy with the Su-57’s stealth and electronic features. The reputation of the aircraft has also been tarnished by sightings of blatant flaws at airshows and problems concerning the overall quality of manufacture.
Compared to Western competitors, the problems of the Su-57 are more glaring. The U.S. already has over a thousand F-35s in production globally, backed by a colossal supply chain and rigorous quality assurance. Both the F-22 and F-35 are the stealth and sensor technology gold standards with proven combat histories and stable flight profiles. Russia’s aircraft, while rumored to be capable of neutralizing Western air defense, is seen by the majority of experts as still looking for its sea legs in stealth technology.
Despite all this, the Su-57 remains a central part of Russia’s long-term military strategy. The Kremlin sees it as an icon of national pride and a way to stay in line with other great powers. But with ongoing sanctions and production problems, the Su-57 risks being more of a prestige program than a front-line changer of the game. The global arms market is watching, but for now, Russia’s leading-edge fighter is having trouble flying on the runway and worldwide.