Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation in the article posted on its official web-platform outlined the key advantages of the Su-57E Felon multirole fighter jet, which should ensure its success in the international market.
The Su-57E was for the first time unveiled abroad by Rosoboronexport and UAC at Airshow China 2024. It was subsequently displayed and flown at Aero India 2025 and Dubai Airshow 2025.
According to Felon’s manufacturer, a more efficient aircraft is one in which not one or two parameters have outstanding values to the detriment of the others, but one in which all these components (flight performance, visibility level, onboard equipment suite, composition and quantity of aerial weapons, maintainability) are well balanced.
“Historically, the F-35 was developed as a companion to the US Air Force’s primary F-22 interceptor and is more specialized in operations against ground and surface targets. The domestic Su-57 fighter, on the other hand, was initially developed, produced, and used in combat as a multirole, stealthy aircraft with a well-balanced set of performance characteristics: low observability, supersonic cruising, and superiority in duel situations,” said UAC.
The low radar signature is achieved in Su-57E through special shaping, placement of weapons within internal fuselage compartments, measures to protect antenna bays, specific operating modes of the avionics, and the use of special radar-absorbing materials and coatings.
“Su-57E is the only fifth-generation aircraft to feature a low-observable, adjustable supersonic air intake, which provides a high total pressure recovery ratio and reduced drag at Mach numbers greater than 1.6. This, in turn, ensures high acceleration performance at speeds close to maximum. Furthermore, it increases the rate of climb and service ceiling.”
In addition, the Su-57E is capable of operating in a single network for exchanging tactical situational data with other Russian aircraft of the previous generation by adapting their onboard communications equipment.
“A unique feature of the Su-57E’s airborne weapons system is the ability to customize its cargo compartments. For example, the aircraft can be equipped with separate fuel tanks alongside various missiles, allowing for flexible customization of the Su-57E’s combat capabilities. The Russian fighter is also capable of launching a long-arm cruise missile from its internal compartments—a first on the global arms market.”
UAC underlined, that the Su-57E is constantly being improved: new electronic equipment is being introduced, engines with improved performance are being tested, and new, more intelligent air-to-air weapons are being integrated.
At Aero India 2025 Rosoboronexport announced its readiness for large-scale cooperation with India in the 5the generation fighter jets domain. In December Director of Russia’s Federal Service for Military Technical Cooperation Dmitry Shugaev confirmed, that India had shown significant interest in Su-57E.
According the Russian think-tank Centre for Analysis of World Arms Trade (CAWAT) latest assessment, New Delhi’s choice in favor of purchasing and licensed production of the Su-57E will ensure India’s military-technical parity with China and Pakistan.
“The issue of introducing fifth-generation fighters into the Indian Air Force is of paramount importance, but the implementation of the national program will take at least 10-15 years before serial production begins due to the exceptional complexity of this task. Under these circumstances, relying on the Russian Su-57E could be the most optimal and effective way for New Delhi to achieve military-technical parity with its main competitors – China and Pakistan,” CAWAT’s head Igor Korotchenko said to RIA Novosti.
He added that the competencies, which India can master through the Su-57E project, would enable it to independently develop the national new generation combat aircraft.
