At the end of last year, during the Zhuhai Air Show in China, Rosoboronexport announced that it had secured the first sales contract for the export version of the Sukhoi Su-57 stealth fighter, which is in service with the Russian Aerospace Forces. However, the announcements did not disclose which country would become the first international operator of the Russian Federation’s fifth-generation aircraft. Since then, various speculations have been made about this mysterious and enigmatic client. Against this backdrop, and within the framework of the Aero India festival taking place from February 10 to 14, Russian officials have gone a step further by declaring that they are preparing to deliver the first Su-57E to this new customer in 2025.
Throughout 2024, the United Aircraft Corporation and the state agency Rosoboronexport have made significant efforts to promote the Su-57 stealth fighter internationally. This was evident in the participation of two units at the Zhuhai Air Show in China, as well as the presence of an aircraft identified as the T-50-4 “054 Blue” at Aero India 2025.
These promotional efforts have been complemented by UAC’s push to increase production of the fifth-generation aircraft, with various investments and the inauguration of new facilities at the Komsomolsk-on-Amur aviation plant. This initiative aims primarily to boost the number of aircraft delivered to the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) while also meeting the demand of potential new international customers.
Although no further details have been disclosed, and the announcements should be taken with caution, one of the most significant reports regarding the current status of Russia’s most modern production fighter jet came during the Zhuhai Air Show last November. On that occasion, executives from Rosoboronexport stated: “The system of military-technical cooperation must introduce new weapons and military equipment into the market. We already have the first signed contracts for the Su-57,” without providing details about this first international client.
Since then, various hypotheses have been put forward regarding the mystery buyer of the export version of the Felon (NATO’s designation for the Su-57), with speculation including North African countries such as Algeria and Egypt, as well as Middle Eastern nations like Iran. However, the latter seems unlikely, given the confirmation that the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force has acquired the new Sukhoi Su-35S fighters.
The latest development on this matter has once again been reported by officials from the state agency during the Aero India festival. Regarding this, Rosoboronexport’s Director General, Alexander Mikheev, stated: “The first foreign customer of the advanced fifth-generation multirole fighter Su-57E will begin operating this aircraft in 2025, following its delivery by Rosoboronexport.”
Finally, with no further details on this new buyer, the next step will be to await confirmation of the official delivery of the first Su-57E to its new operator, marking a significant milestone for the Russian aerospace industry.
Cover photo credits: Livefist (@livefist)
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