Russia adds new Felon fighters to air fleet
Russia has delivered another batch of Su-57 (NATO reporting name: Felon) fifth-generation fighter jets to the Russian Aerospace Forces, reportedly increasing the fleet by three aircraft.
This delivery is part of Russia’s ongoing efforts to enhance its advanced air capabilities amid ongoing defense challenges. The addition brings the total number of Su-57s in service to around 30 by January 2025, according to reports from Russian defense sources.
Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov previously stated, “By the end of this year, another batch of Su-57 aircraft and Su-35S fighters will be delivered. The aircraft are at different stages of production and testing.” This indicates the steady pace of production and the push to ensure both Su-57 and Su-35S fighters bolster VKS capabilities.
The newly delivered Su-57 jets feature AKU-58U launchers on external pylons, significantly broadening the aircraft’s capacity to deploy various types of Russian-made air-to-surface munitions. These include cruise missiles such as the Kh-59 series, which are not designed for release from internal weapons bays. The presence of these missiles on external pylons was previously observed during earlier test flights of the Su-57.
However, while these external munitions increase the Su-57’s tactical versatility, they also have implications for the aircraft’s stealth profile. Utilizing weapons on external pylons, like the Kh-59 cruise missiles, diminishes the low observability factor that is central to the Su-57’s stealth capability. The compromise between armament versatility and stealth highlights the operational flexibility that Russian forces are willing to balance in their current defense strategy.
The Su-57, touted by Moscow as its answer to other fifth-generation fighter jets, is equipped with a combination of advanced avionics, stealth features, and multi-role capabilities. Designed for air superiority as well as strike operations, the Su-57 is intended to counter both air and ground targets effectively, providing the Russian Air Force with a versatile platform to address diverse mission profiles.
