China Mocks Russia's Su-57

• 29.01.2025, 16:25

What's wrong with Russia's stealth fighter?

Russia's Su-57 Felon stealth fighter is failing to live up to export expectations. Not only are Western sanctions preventing Russia from producing the aircraft in significant quantities, but even China, the first potential buyer, doesn't seem to want the Su-57, according to former defense and foreign policy consultant and former US Army infantry officer Brent M. Eastwood, in an article on 19fortyfive.com.

“The future of the Su-57 as an export success remains unclear, especially given the challenges potential buyers face in servicing such a complex aircraft,” the author noted. “China is not yet an export partner for the Su-57 and may never buy the fighter. The Chinese already have a stealth fighter similar to the Felon, the J-20.”

At the same time, Eastwood recalled how Moscow sent two Felon prototypes to China for the Zhuhai Air Show last fall. As a result, the Chinese “turned up their noses at the Su-57s” and, as reported, “ridiculed the aircraft for their poor build quality and condition.”

“One of the problems the Russians face is the difficulty in overcoming Western sanctions. Advanced electronics are hard to come by, and even if the Chinese ordered Felons tomorrow, Russia would not be able to fulfill the contract. Russia plans to receive 76 Su-57s by 2028, and it is unclear whether this number will be achievable,” added Brent M. Eastwood.

He also recalled that Russian media bragged about the Su-57's participation in the war against Ukraine. But most likely, the fighter carried out a limited number of missions, since Russia is concerned about the consequences of losing its new fighter.