Why Russia Isn’t Using Stealth Su-57s, How Many They Actually Have, and How Effective They’d Be
The Sukhoi Su-57, Russia’s advanced fighter jet, epitomizes modern aerial combat technology with its stealth features, supercruise ability, and formidable armaments. Despite these attributes, the Su-57 remains conspicuously absent from combat operations, particularly in the context of escalating tensions between Russia, Ukraine, and NATO. This raises pertinent questions: Why hasn’t Russia deployed the Su-57 in combat? How many of these jets do they possess, and what would be their impact in a potential conflict?
The Su-57’s Troubled Development
Originating in the late 1980s, the Su-57, also known as PAK FA (Prospective Airborne Complex of Frontline Aviation), was Russia’s answer to the American F-22 Raptor. However, its journey has been fraught with challenges: the collapse of the Soviet Union, technical difficulties, financial constraints, and sanctions have all impeded its progress. The first prototype took to the skies in 2010, but it wasn’t until a decade later, in 2020, that the Su-57 officially entered service. The initial units were powered by older AL-41F1 engines instead of the planned Izdeliye 30 engines, which are expected to enhance thrust, fuel efficiency, and stealth features upon their anticipated completion in 2025.
Russia’s current Su-57 fleet is subject to varying reports, estimated to be between three and 15 aircraft. This includes three serially produced models delivered to the Russian Air Force, two manufactured but possibly undelivered aircraft, and ten prototypes used for testing. Plans to acquire 76 Su-57s by 2028 exist, though these are subject to the availability of resources and program progress.
The Su-57’s Limited Role
Designed as a multirole fighter, the Su-57 is capable of air superiority, strike, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare missions. Its primary design objective is to counter the US F-22 and F-35 stealth fighters. Features like a low radar cross-section, advanced sensors, avionics, and internal weapons bays enhance its stealth capabilities. It can carry a range of missiles, including the R-77M, R-37M, Kh-59MK2, and Kh-35UE, and boasts the K-77M long-range air-to-air missile with AESA radar, capable of engaging stealth targets up to 200 kilometers away.
Despite these capabilities, the Su-57’s effectiveness is hampered by several factors. Its stealth features are less advanced than those of the F-22 or F-35, with a larger frontal radar cross-section and exposed engine nozzles. Its sensor systems and data fusion capabilities are also not as sophisticated, affected by a reliance on a mix of Russian and foreign components, some of which are outdated or sanction-restricted. The Su-57’s weaponry, too, falls short in range, speed, and maneuverability compared to its American counterparts. Reliability and maintainability issues have also been evident, with the jet experiencing several accidents and malfunctions during its development and testing phase.
Strategically, the Su-57’s deployment is constrained by the nature of Russia’s potential conflicts. A direct confrontation with F-22 or F-35 fighters is unlikely, given the mutual aversion to escalating conflicts to a nuclear level. In low-intensity conflicts like in Syria, the risk of losing such a high-value asset outweighs its operational benefits. In regional conflicts, such as in Ukraine, where NATO’s integrated air defense system presents a significant threat, the Su-57’s stealth alone does not assure its survivability, especially against a numerically and technologically superior NATO air force.
The Su-57’s Future Prospects
The Su-57, while an impressive technological feat, is not a game-changer in modern aerial warfare. It symbolizes Russia’s aspiration to uphold its status as a military power and challenge Western air dominance. Yet, its development and deployment have been marred by a host of technical, financial, and political challenges, limiting its operational potential. The geopolitical and military landscape further constrains the Su-57’s role and effectiveness. While it may have some advantages over its American counterparts in specific scenarios, these are unlikely to manifest in real combat situations. Its utility in other missions, like strike, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare, while notable, is not uniquely indispensable. The Su-57 stands as a symbol of Russian military pride and power, but it is not a definitive factor in shaping Russia’s security and strategic interests.
