SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Russia’s state-owned defense conglomerate, Rostec, has proposed an ambitious plan to convert the existing Su-30MKI production line at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) Nashik facility to manufacture the Su-57E, the export variant of Russia’s fifth-generation stealth fighter.
In an exclusive revelation to idrw.org, Rostec official confirmed that the Nashik facility, currently set up to produce 12 Su-30MKI jets annually, could manufacture 14 Su-57E jets per year if converted. This increase in production capacity is attributed to the Su-57E’s smaller dimensions compared to the Su-30MKI, allowing for more efficient use of manufacturing space and resources. Additionally, Rostec provided specific dimensional differences between the two aircraft, shedding light on their relative sizes and the implications for production scaling.
This 16.67% increase in annual production rate (from 12 to 14 jets) reflects the Su-57E’s smaller footprint and streamlined manufacturing requirements. According to Rostec, the compatibility of existing tooling and machinery at Nashik, originally designed for the Su-30MKI, with the Su-57E’s production needs facilitates this transition without necessitating significant infrastructural overhauls. The smaller size of the Su-57E also allows for more efficient use of assembly line space, enabling HAL to produce more units within the same timeframe.
Rostec provided idrw.org with precise dimensional comparisons between the Su-30MKI and the Su-57E, highlighting the latter’s more compact design:
- Length: The Su-30MKI is approximately 8.76% longer than the Su-57E.
- Wingspan: The Su-30MKI has a wingspan approximately 4.76% greater than that of the Su-57E.
- Height: The Su-30MKI is approximately 20.69% taller than the Su-57E.
These figures indicate that the Su-57E is smaller across all major dimensions, contributing to its higher production efficiency. To understand the overall size difference, we can calculate a rough approximation of the Su-57E’s size relative to the Su-30MKI by considering these dimensions collectively.
Thus, the Su-57E is approximately 89.60% the size of the Su-30MKI when considering these dimensions. This suggests that the Su-57E is about 10.40% smaller overall than the Su-30MKI in terms of a composite dimensional comparison.
However, since aircraft size isn’t a linear product of length, wingspan, and height (it’s more about volume and spatial occupancy), we can also consider a more conservative estimate by focusing on the most significant spatial dimension for production purposes—likely height or wingspan, as these impact hangar space and assembly line layout the most. Given the height difference is the largest (20.69%), the Su-57E’s smaller stature in this dimension likely plays a key role in enabling higher production rates.
“Rostec officials informed idrw.org that the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) received 14 Su-57s in 2024 and are slated to receive 18 in 2025. These aircraft are produced at the Sukhoi Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aviation Plant (KnAAZ), which also manufactures Su-35s and previously produced Su-27s. The plant’s proximity is crucial for supporting new aircraft operations, allowing for immediate assistance from production specialists.”
The Su-57E’s smaller dimensions—particularly its 20.69% reduction in height—allow for better utilization of vertical space in production hangars, potentially enabling HAL to work on more aircraft simultaneously. The reduced wingspan (4.76% smaller) and length (8.76% shorter) also mean less floor space per aircraft, which could translate into tighter assembly line configurations or the ability to store and process more units at once. These factors collectively contribute to the projected increase in annual production from 12 Su-30MKI jets to 14 Su-57E jets—a 16.67% improvement.
Moreover, the Su-57E’s design, while advanced due to its fifth-generation features like stealth and sensor fusion, may benefit from modern manufacturing techniques that reduce assembly time compared to the Su-30MKI, a 4++ generation fighter with a more complex airframe featuring canards and thrust vectoring engines. Rotec’s confidence in the Nashik facility’s ability to adapt to Su-57E production without major retooling further supports this efficiency gain.
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