Detailed analysis of the capabilities of the Rafale and Su-57 in real combat situations, for defense professionals.

Objectively comparing the Rafale and Su-57 in real combat raises complex questions. The Rafale, a French fighter jet, is a 4.5-generation aircraft that is versatile and battle-proven. The Su-57, a Russian fighter jet, is a fifth-generation fighter still in the operational deployment phase. The former is widely exported and used by several air forces, while the latter is mainly in service in Russia. The Rafale has demonstrated its capabilities in various theaters of operation, while the Su-57 remains largely theoretical in terms of actual engagement.

Technical characteristics of the two aircraft

The Rafale

The Rafale, a French 4.5-generation fighter jet, is designed to perform a wide range of missions, including air superiority, ground attack, reconnaissance, and nuclear deterrence. Developed by Dassault Aviation, it is based on a twin-engine architecture powered by two Snecma M88-2 engines. Each engine delivers 75 kN of thrust with afterburner, enabling the aircraft to reach Mach 1.8 (approximately 1,912 km/h) at high altitude.

The Rafale is capable of supercruise at a speed of Mach 1.4 without using afterburners, a rare capability for a non-stealth fighter. Its operational ceiling is 15,835 meters, enabling it to engage targets at high altitudes. Its range, in air-to-ground configuration with three 2,000-liter external fuel tanks, is approximately 1,850 km without in-flight refueling.

Its maximum takeoff weight is 24,500 kg, with an external payload capacity of 9,500 kg on 14 attachment points, including five under the fuselage. The Rafale’s architecture allows for high maneuverability thanks to its delta-canard configuration and favorable thrust-to-weight ratio (approximately 1:1 in light configuration). Its instantaneous turn radius is approximately 22°/s, giving it excellent response in close combat.

The Su-57

The Su-57, a fifth-generation Russian fighter jet, is designed by Sukhoi to combine stealth, speed, maneuverability, and multi-role capability. It is powered by two Saturn AL-41F1 turbojet engines, each providing a maximum thrust of 147 kN with afterburner. This engine allows a maximum speed of Mach 2 (approximately 2,120 km/h) and an estimated supercruise speed of Mach 1.6, although operational tests have not yet fully validated this capability.

The Su-57 can fly up to 20,000 meters, with an estimated range of 1,500 km on an interception mission, extendable to 5,500 km with refueling and auxiliary tanks. Its maximum takeoff weight is 35,000 kg, with a payload capacity of 10,000 kg, part of which is stored in four internal bays designed to preserve radar stealth.

The Su-57’s airframe uses a combination of composite materials (up to 25% of its weight) to reduce its radar signature. It also features movable canards, 2D vector nozzles, and digital flight control for advanced agility, with an instantaneous turn rate of over 28°/s in certain configurations.

These two aircraft respond to very different doctrines: the Rafale favors versatility and reliability in contested environments; the Su-57 attempts to combine stealth, maneuverability, and strategic range.

Weapons and detection systems

The Rafale

The Rafale is designed to carry out interception, ground attack and reconnaissance missions simultaneously. To do this, it relies on an integrated and redundant suite of sensors. Its RBE2 AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar is capable of tracking up to 40 targets simultaneously and engaging 8 at the same time. It operates in the X band and has a range of over 200 km against air targets, depending on their radar cross section.

The aircraft also features the OSF (Optronique Secteur Frontal) system, a passive infrared and TV sensor mounted on the nose of the aircraft. It provides visual identification up to 45 km, infrared detection without radar emissions, and effective tracking of stealth threats at short range. Added to this is the SPECTRA (Rafale Fire Control Protection and Avoidance System), an electronic warfare suite that combines jamming, decoys, warning sensors, and decoy launchers. It allows the Rafale to operate in heavily defended environments without external support.

In terms of armament, the Rafale can use a full range of munitions. In air-to-air combat, it carries MICA IR and EM missiles (range 20 to 50 km) for close and medium-range combat, as well as the Meteor long-range missile, capable of engaging targets beyond 150 km with a two-way data link and an active seeker. In air-to-ground mode, it can fire the SCALP EG missile (range >250 km), the GPS/laser-guided AASM missile (range 15 to 60 km depending on the version), and GBU-12, GBU-16, GBU-24 laser-guided bombs. Its ability to carry air-to-air and air-to-ground payloads simultaneously optimizes its flexibility in mixed missions.

The Su-57

The Su-57, designed for stealth and high-intensity interception, is equipped with the N036 Byelka radar system, a constellation of AESA radars distributed between the nose, wings, and sides. The system offers greater angular coverage than a monolithic radar, with a range of 400 km against large targets. This radar can detect low-signature fighters at ranges of over 120 km, depending on the target’s RCS.

The Su-57 is also equipped with the 101KS-V, an infrared sensor integrated into the 101KS Atoll suite. It provides optical detection in all directions and enables passive tracking of air targets, which is useful against stealth aircraft or in degraded electromagnetic environments. Its L402 Himalayas electronic warfare system, developed by KRET, works in coordination with the airframe surfaces to generate active jamming. It offers electromagnetic protection covering a wide spectrum, including against L-band or UHF radars, often used to track stealth aircraft.

Air-to-air weapons include the R-77-1 missile (range 110 km), equipped with an active radar seeker and adaptive flight path. It also carries highly maneuverable infrared-guided R-73M missiles (range <40 km). In air-to-ground mode, the Su-57 can launch Kh-59MK2 missiles (range 285 to 300 km, inertial/GPS guidance), Kh-38 missiles (modular, range 10 to 40 km) and KAB-250 and KAB-500 laser- or satellite-guided gliding bombs.

Unlike the Rafale, some of the Su-57’s weapons can be housed in an internal bay, which limits its radar signature but reduces the amount of ammunition available without external configuration. However, the aircraft can use external pylons for additional loads at the expense of stealth. This logic makes its configuration highly dependent on the tactical scenario.

Operational experience and reliability

The Rafale

The Rafale, in service since 2001 with the French Air Force and then with the French Navy, has been deployed in a variety of demanding operational contexts. It was deployed in Afghanistan in 2007 as part of Operation Heracles, then in Libya in 2011 during Operation Harmattan. It was then involved in Iraq and Syria from 2014 as part of the fight against Daesh (Operation Chammal) and in Mali in Operation Serval.

On each occasion, the Rafale demonstrated an average technical availability of over 90% in the first months of deployment, including in desert environments and from aircraft carriers such as the Charles de Gaulle. The modular design of its components and the centralized architecture of its systems facilitate diagnostics and reduce return-to-service times. In terms of logistics, the French forces have set up global technical support (Follow-On Support contracts with Dassault, Thales, and Safran), guaranteeing a high level of availability over the long term.

In real combat conditions, the Rafale has fired SCALP-EG, AASM, GBU-12, Meteor and MICA missiles with proven reliability. The airframe and engines have suffered little damage in extreme conditions, further enhancing its reputation in international tenders. The Rafale has been exported to Egypt, Qatar, Greece, India, Croatia, and the United Arab Emirates, demonstrating its robustness in operational contexts.

The Su-57

The Su-57, which entered series production in 2020, still suffers from very limited operational experience. Although presented as fully operational, only around ten aircraft are currently in service with the Russian Air Force, well below initial forecasts of 76 aircraft delivered by 2027. The fleet is concentrated in the Lipetsk Combat Center and a few elite units.

The only known deployment of the Su-57 in a real-world environment took place in Syria between 2018 and 2020, for reconnaissance flights and, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense, high-altitude air-to-ground missile launches. However, these actions were very limited (less than ten confirmed flights) and did not allow the aircraft to be evaluated in air combat or air superiority situations.

Industrial feedback indicates persistent difficulties: delays in the delivery of Izdeliye 30 engines, recurring failures of digital flight controls, tolerance defects in certain airframe parts, and misalignment of stealth surfaces. In December 2019, the first production Su-57 crashed shortly after its test flight, highlighting flaws in Sukhoi’s production lines.

Maintenance of the Su-57 remains complex due to composite technology, the dense integration of sensors in the airframe, and the lack of experience with the onboard systems. The logistical infrastructure associated with this aircraft is still incomplete, even in Russian units. To date, Russia remains the only active user of the Su-57, and no firm export contracts have been signed, although discussions have taken place with India, Algeria, and the United Arab Emirates.

As it stands, the Su-57 is a promising but still immature aircraft, whose operational reliability remains to be proven beyond flight tests and surface demonstrations.

Comparing the Rafale and the Su-57 in a real-world engagement highlights significant differences in terms of technological maturity, operational experience, and reliability. The Rafale, with its proven performance and versatility, offers a reliable solution for a variety of missions. The Su-57, while promising on paper, still requires validation in real-world conditions to confirm its capabilities.

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