Russian Air Force Adds More 5th-Gen Stealth Su-57 Fighter Jets Despite Western Sanctions

Despite Western claims that Russia's economy and military infrastructure have been crippled by sanctions, Moscow's military modernization continues unhindered as dozens of new fighter jets have been delivered since the war in Ukraine started.

In the latest such development, the Russian air force reportedly received a new batch of fifth-generation Su-57 Felon stealth fighter jets from the United Aircraft Corporation's Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aviation Plant on Wednesday.

"Our plant in Komsomolsk-on-Amur has completed this year's program to produce the Su-57 fifth-generation aviation systems and multipurpose fighter jets Su-35S for the Russian Aerospace Forces," UAC corporation's CEO Yury Slyusar was quoted as saying by the Russian news agency, TASS.

"We will continue to live up to our commitments. Aircraft scheduled for delivery next year are already in the production phase," he added.

The news comes amid Western claims that sanctions have hurt Russia's military-industrial complex due to their inability to procure foreign microelectronic components. Following the invasion of Ukraine, dozens of countries slapped unprecedented sanctions on Russia seeking to obliterate Moscow's ability to conduct war.

Furthermore, the U.S. and other Western nations have warned of action against countries and companies that provide ammunition to Russia or support its military-industrial complex.

The Sukhoi Su-57 is Russia's fifth-generation multirole stealth fighter. It can perform both anti-air and air-to-ground operations and is designed to rival the US F-35 and F-22.

Developed by Sukhoi Design Bureau and Russian Aircraft Corporation, the Su-57 fighter jet features stealth technology with the broad use of composite materials.

The aircraft can reach a supersonic cruising speed and is equipped with the most advanced radio-electronic equipment. The radar system is spread across its body and armaments are placed inside its fuselage. It is also equipped with a powerful onboard computer—the so-called electronic second pilot.

Russia has confirmed that Su-57s took part in military operations in Donbas, with General Serhiy Surovikin stating that four Su-57 fighters had been deployed. According to TASS, the Russian air force will receive 22 Su-57 fighters by late 2024 and their number will increase to 76 by 2028.

Although the first Su-57 fighter was delivered to the Russian military in 2020, a video from Syria in November 2018 showed the advanced fighter jet flying test sorties under combat conditions.

Presently, Russia is the only country operating the aircraft. However, in the hope of selling the stealth fighter abroad, Moscow sent its Su-57 fighter jet to the Vietnam International Defense Expo 2022 held in Hanoi between Dec. 8 and 10.