Foreign Sales Expected? Russia to Display Export Version of Elite New Su-57 Fighter at MAKS Airshow

Russia’s Armed Forces reportedly plan to display an export version of the Su-57 next generation air superiority fighter, dubbed Su-57 by local media, at the 2019 MAKS airshow. The fighter entered mass production in July 2019, although serial produced variants have yet to be delivered to the Russian Air Force which plans to induct three battalions into service by 2027. Russia has moved to considerably accelerate plans to acquire the fighters in recent months, and the design has garnered considerable foreign interest due to a number of its advanced next generation capabilities - which include among others a sizeable ten-missile payload in internal storage, access to hypersonic air to air and ballistic missiles, access to APAA guided anti aircraft missiles, unique laser defence systems and unrivalled manoeuvrability. The export variant of the fighter was previously reported as set to make its debut at the Dubai Airshow later in the year, possibly in an attempt to entice clients in the Arab Gulf region, and unveiling the jet at MAKS may well have been decided on in anticipation of a contract for export.

State arms exporter Rosoboronexport states regarding the presence of the Su-57 at MAKS: "The Su-57E fighter and the Il-112VE military transport plane will be the main exhibits of the Russian exposition’s military segment at the MAKS-2019 air show.” Rosoboronexport CEO Alexander Mikheyev expressed confidence in the ability of both new aircraft to evoke foreign interest. The Il-112 saw its first flight on March 20th 2019, and is intended to replace the An-26 with a 66% crew reduction, higher capacity for personnel carriage and reduced fuel consumption facilitating a longer range. Large orders for either fighter will allow Russia to expand production lines and invest more technologies in research and development for future technologies - which for the Su-57 reportedly include systems such as artificial intelligence and laser weapons. The Western Bloc has notably sought to deprive Russia's defence sector of funds by threatening all potential clients for high end Russian hardware, from China and Indonesia to Egypt and Turkey, with economic sanctions and applying significant political pressure to dissuade them from making such purchases.