Around five countries, including those located in Southeast Asia, are considering the purchase of Russia’s new fifth-generation Su-57 fighter, Rosoboronexport Director General Alexander Mikheev said on Tuesday.
“We conduct negotiations with several countries, there are requests, and we see interest … [including from] the Southeast Asia … Four or five countries are interested,” Mikheev told reporters.
The Su-57 is Russia’s answer to the US’ stealth duo — F-22 and F-35. Even Sukhoi’s number 57 is combined from the names of two US jets — F-22 + F-35 = Su- 57. The fifth-gen fighter comes equipped with advanced stealth technology, which ensures a low level of radar and infrared signature.
The twin-engine fighter jet can take out any target and develop supersonic cruising speed. While the combat aircraft took to the skies a decade ago (Jan 2010), it entered service only late last year.
According to the Russian news agency, Tass, citing a source, a pilot of the Sukhoi Su-57 fighter jet can concurrently coordinate the operations of four latest Okhotnik heavy strike drones.
“Currently, the options of controlling strike drones from a Su-57 cockpit are being worked out. A fighter jet is expected to carry from two to four Okhotnik drones,” the source said.
TASS, however, clarifies that it has no official confirmation on the development.
The Sukhoi Su-57 is a stealth, fifth-gen multi-role aircraft designated to annihilate different types of air, ground, and naval targets.
The Su-57 features stealth technology with the broad use of composite materials and is capable of developing supersonic cruising speed and is equipped with a superior onboard radio-electronic equipment, including a powerful onboard computer, the radar system spread across its body and some other innovations, especially, weapons fixed inside its fuselage.
The fighter jet’s key weaponry that requires a special mention is hypersonic missiles. The Su-57 fighters have also been successfully tested in combat conditions in Syria and came out with flying colors, according to reports.
Even though Mikheev did not elaborate on the five nations that could be vying for the Russian fifth-gen jets, it is widely speculated that Algeria, China, Egypt, Vietnam, Turkey, India and Myanmar could be some of its top contenders.
With inputs from Tass & Sputnik
