Russia's new batch of Su-57 fighter jets have been delivered to the Aerospace Forces from the factory.
[Reporter Tu Jumin/Comprehensive Report] Russia continues to "modify" the Su-57 fifth-generation fighter aircraft. The foreign military news website "Army Recognition" reported that Russia's United Aviation Corporation (UAC) announced on the 24th that it has delivered a new batch of Su-57 fighters to the Russian Aerospace Forces. This batch of fighters adopts new technology configurations, and some improvements are based on actual combat experience, which can expand the scope of missions and support more new air-launched weapons.
The report pointed out that the new aircraft completed complete factory testing before delivery and was verified by Russian Ministry of Defense pilots in different operating modes. However, Russia did not announce the number, nor did it explain what changes were made to the sensors, avionics, electronic warfare, communications or airframe. United Aviation Manufacturing Group only emphasized that the current new Su-57 is different from the model produced in the early stages of the Russo-Ukrainian War and has undergone "major changes" during this period.
The Su-57 is currently one of Russia's most advanced fighter aircraft. Its strength is not only low-observable design. According to data from the Russian United Aviation Manufacturing Group, the aircraft combines supersonic cruise, high maneuverability, and is equipped with highly integrated avionics. It can perform air-to-air, ground-to-sea missions in complex electromagnetic interference environments, and has real-time data exchange and multi-type air-launched weapon integration capabilities. Russia also claims that it can reduce detectable characteristics in radar, infrared and visible light bands.
As for whether the Su-57 is actually used in "actual combat" on the battlefield in Ukraine, there is currently limited evidence from the outside world. The British Ministry of Defense assessed as early as 2023 that the Russian army has "almost certainly" used the Su-57 to perform missions against Ukraine since June 2022, but most of them stayed in Russia and carried out long-range attacks with long-range air-to-surface or air-to-air missiles, rather than penetrating deep into Ukrainian airspace.
The Ukrainian Air Force also stated in 2024 that the Russian army did use Su-57 fighter jets to launch guided munitions on several occasions, but most of them were located quite far away from the front line. At that time, no large-scale and regular use was observed. Therefore, the focus of this so-called "minor facelift" is not a comprehensive replacement, but Russia's attempt to directly introduce the combat feedback obtained from the war in Ukraine into the mass production line, and continue to adjust the weapons, avionics and mission capabilities of the new aircraft.
