Russia is promoting the Su-57 fighter jet to attract foreign buyers ahead of the 2025 Dubai Airshow. This is a strategic move to boost its arms sales.
Summary
The Sukhoi Su-57 is back in the spotlight. With the 2025 Dubai Airshow approaching, Russia has released promotional images showing its internal features, including its weapon bays. This return to the export scene is part of an effort to boost foreign orders for an aircraft that remains in low production. The Kremlin, via United Aircraft Corporation and Rostec, wants to position the Su-57 as a credible alternative on the international market. However, the operational reality of the fighter, its technical limitations, production delays, and lack of effective exports raise questions about the relevance of this relaunch.
The context of this export relaunch
Russia is struggling to sell the Su-57. It was designed as its 5th generation fighter to replace the Su-27 and MiG-29, but production remains limited. The final engine and the complete assembly line still need to be perfected. By releasing a new promotional film showing the opening of the Su-57’s weapons bay and the loading of KH-58 anti-radiation missiles, Russia is sending a signal to potential customers: this aircraft is now a mature system capable of modern missions.
The move comes ahead of the 2025 Dubai Airshow, a major event for the aviation industry, where Russia wants to reaffirm its ability to supply advanced systems despite sanctions and industrial pressure.
At the same time, leaked documents (attributed to the “Black Mirror” group) mention export negotiations with Iran, Algeria, and Ethiopia. Thus, the Su-57 appears to be a strategic export product for Moscow, not only for revenue, but also to regain diplomatic influence and prove that Russia can still sell cutting-edge technology.
Why Russia is seeking to sell the Su-57
Economically, the Russian aerospace industry is under pressure: the war in Ukraine, international sanctions, and difficulties importing components have weakened the sector. Selling the Su-57 would inject foreign currency, maintain the production line, and offset research and development costs.
Diplomatically, exporting a fifth-generation fighter jet is a major lever. A customer equipped with Su-57s becomes more militarily and technically dependent on Russia, which strengthens strategic ties. In regions such as Africa and the Middle East, offering the Su-57 could establish Moscow as a high-level supplier, competing with the United States, China, and Europe.
Domestically, promoting the Su-57 allows the Kremlin and Rostec to maintain an industrial narrative: Russia is not isolated; it has a modern, advanced fighter jet capable of stealth missions. This boosts the morale of Russian industry and aviation.
Finally, from a military standpoint, if sold abroad, certain technologies can be refined, supply chains tested, and potentially amortized over a larger fleet of aircraft—which can benefit the domestic version. So selling the Su-57 is also an investment in the Russian version.
The operational reality of the Su-57
Despite the announcements, the Su-57 still presents serious challenges. The number of aircraft produced is limited: some reports indicate that fewer than 20 aircraft will be delivered to the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) by the end of 2023, compared to a much higher initial target.
The program has experienced significant structural delays: aerostructure problems, provisional engines, complex maintenance. On the export front, no firm contracts have yet been officially announced for the Su-57, indicating that the aircraft has not yet proven its real appeal to international buyers.
The performance specifications are ambitious: stealth, supercruise, internal missile bays. However, several analysts point out that Russian stealth does not meet Western standards (the field of application and radar signature are not comparable to the Lockheed Martin F-22 or Lockheed Martin F-35).
The recent announcement of the opening of the Su-57’s front bay with two KH-58 anti-radiation missiles shows a “configuration entry” capability, but it is not yet known whether this configuration is fully operational or merely demonstrative.
In summary, the aircraft is promising but not yet in a phase of mass use or mature export.
Positioning against other modern fighters
To understand the value of the Su-57, it must be compared to other platforms. The American F-22 and F-35 are often cited as benchmarks for the 5th generation, but they are not readily available for export (the F-22 cannot be exported, and the F-35 is controlled by the United States). The Su-57, if fully operational, could be offered to customers who cannot or do not want to engage with the US.
There is also the Chinese Chengdu J-20, which is aimed at export in the long term, and the Lockheed Martin F-15EX or the Western Eurofighter Typhoon for 4.5-generation types. The Su-57 aims to position itself between these categories: offering the stealth capabilities and internal weapon bays of a new-generation fighter, while offering a more accessible price and technology transfer conditions.
However, production delays, a lack of extensive operational experience, and dependence on problematic Russian industrial chains may limit its appeal. Some customers may consider the technological or logistical risk to be too high.
Finally, in a global market for exportable fighters, maintenance capability, the integration of internationally compatible weaponry, and support networks are as important as performance alone. The Su-57 must therefore not only offer capabilities, but also an ecosystem. This is where Russia will have to convince.
Impacts for the future of the Russian aerospace industry
If Russia obtains orders for the Su-57, this would have several effects. First, it would legitimize the Russian new-generation fighter jet industry. It would strengthen the brand value of Sukhoi and UAC. It would make it possible to extend production, lower unit costs, and amortize investments.
It would also attract international industrial partnerships or assembly operations, which could ease the pressure on Russian production lines during periods of sanctions.
If, on the other hand, the Su-57 remains without export customers, Russia could end up with an underutilized production infrastructure, significant fixed costs, and a loss of credibility on the international market. This could also delay or weaken related 6th generation programs or associated drones.
From a strategic perspective, foreign sales could help strengthen Russia’s alliances, particularly in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. This could alter regional balances and offer third countries improved deterrence capabilities. This is not just an industrial challenge, it is a foreign policy tool.
Obstacles to overcome
Many challenges remain. The issue of sanctions on electronic components and semiconductors limits Russia’s ability to modernize the Su-57 or integrate Western equipment. The lack of export experience makes potential customers cautious.
The after-sales support chain, parts availability, pilot training, and maintenance are all key factors that international customers consider. If Russia cannot guarantee reliable long-term maintenance, the aircraft could be perceived as a risk.
Another obstacle is competition. The United States, China, and Europe offer their own fighter jets. The buyer must assess the capabilities, the overall cost of ownership, and the risks. The Su-57 must not only perform well, but also be competitive on these criteria.
Finally, Russian production must reach a sufficient scale to demonstrate the aircraft’s maturity. Marketing is not enough: deliveries, operational demonstrations, and pilot customers are needed to convince buyers.
A strategic perspective for the global market
The effort to promote the Su-57 ahead of the 2025 Dubai Airshow reveals a change in Russia’s stance: it is no longer content to equip its own military, but is actively seeking exports as a lever. This is part of a global context in which heavy weapons exports play a major role in diplomacy and geopolitical alignments. The emergence of a new Su-57 customer could encourage other countries to consider the aircraft and stimulate a domino effect.
For the fighter jet market, this adds an extra element of competition: in addition to the United States, Europe, and China, Russia is now relaunching—or attempting to relaunch—its high-end offering. This could lead to downward pressure on prices, more technology transfers, or new industrial alliances.
Above all, it highlights the fact that technological sovereignty is no longer solely a matter for national armies, but also for export and partnership choices. An international customer brings resources, but also expectations in terms of standards, maintenance, and networking. For Russia, the successful relaunch of the Su-57 would be a powerful reassurance.
An aircraft is not judged solely on its specifications. The Su-57 is equipped with internal bays, promises stealth, boasts anti-radiation missiles and sharp marketing. It embodies Russia’s desire to return to the forefront of the export scene. But the logistical, industrial and technological reality demands pragmatism. The challenge is multifaceted: producing on a large scale, convincing demanding buyers, and guaranteeing long-term support. At trade shows such as the one in Dubai, image is key; in flight chains, performance and reliability speak even louder.
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