Russia looks to increase Su-57 production
August 26, 2024
In the 14 years since the first prototype Sukhoi Su-57 made its maiden flight (on 29 January 2010), progress on the programme has been slow. The United Aircraft Corporation built ten flying prototypes and a number of static test airframes, together with two pre-series and about 24 serial production aircraft. Given the need for test aircraft (and losses) this is insufficient to fully equip a single Regiment.
Two prototypes deployed to Syria for tests in a real combat environment in February 2018, and one of the pre-series aircraft was delivered to a test unit at the 929th State Flight Research Center named after V. Chkalov (GLITs) in December 2020.
Russian propaganda outlet Sputnik boasted of the “aircraft’s combat prowess during its deployment in the current Ukraine conflict,” but in truth it has played little part, occasionally launching Kh-59 and Kh-69 cruise missiles, but without entering the Ukrainian air defence zone. Two are believed to have been destroyed in Ukrainian drone attacks against Russian airfields.
The United Aircraft Corporation delivered five aircraft in 2021, seven in 2022, and eleven in 2023, about ten of which are believed to be operational. Russia plans to take delivery of a total of 76 production Su-57 ‘Felon’ fighters, according to the contract signed by Rostec.
In an effort to boost production, UAC has inaugurated a number of new facilities at the Komsomolsk-on-Amur aviation plant, including “buildings for fuel system testing, as well as the completion of the first phase of construction for a hangar to test onboard radio-electronic equipment (BREO), in order to scale up the serial production of aircraft.” Construction reportedly began in August 2022, and the new facilities were expected to be operational by mid-2023, but quickly fell behind schedule.
Yuri Slyusar, General Director of the United Aircraft Corporation and Vice President of Soyuzmash Russia said that: “The technological modernization and expansion of the production capabilities at the Komsomolsk plant is a long-term investment program that includes substantial state funding and corporate investment. Thus, we have created the most advanced and large-scale production facility for manufacturing the most modern aerospace complexes.”
