SOURCE: AFI
Major General (Retd) G.D. Bakshi, a prominent Indian military commentator, recently stirred debate by asserting that Russia’s Su-57 Felon, while not as stealthy as the U.S. F-35 Lightning II, surpasses China’s J-35A and J-20 fighters in overall capability. Speaking at a defense symposium in New Delhi in February 2025, Bakshi’s remarks challenge prevailing narratives around fifth-generation fighters, spotlighting the Su-57’s strengths—and its shortcomings—in the stealth race. As India weighs options like Russia’s Product 177S engine for its own programs, this assessment prompts a closer look at how these aircraft stack up in the contested skies of modern warfare.
The Lockheed Martin F-35A, with over 1,000 units delivered globally by 2025, is the gold standard for stealth. Its radar cross-section (RCS)—estimated at 0.001-0.005 square meters—owes much to its angular design, radar-absorbent materials (RAM), and internal weapons bays. The AN/APG-81 AESA radar and Distributed Aperture System (DAS) amplify its situational awareness, making it a “flying sensor” that evades detection while striking from beyond visual range (BVR). Bakshi’s concession that the Su-57 isn’t as stealthy aligns with expert consensus: the Felon’s RCS, pegged at 0.1-0.5 square meters, reflects compromises like exposed engine fans, riveted panels, and external weapon hardpoints in early models.
Yet, Russia has made strides. The Su-57’s latest iterations, powered by the AL-51F1 (Izdeliye 30) engine since 2022, feature stealth-treated thrust vector control (TVC) nozzles, reducing infrared signatures. Its airframe, 25% composites, incorporates RAM coatings, and Sukhoi claims an RCS “several orders below” fourth-generation jets like the Su-35 (10-20 m²). While not F-35-level, this positions the Su-57 as a “low-observable” contender—enough, Bakshi argues, to outshine its Chinese rivals.
China’s Chengdu J-20, with over 200 units operational by 2025, is the People’s Liberation Army Air Force’s (PLAAF) flagship stealth fighter. Its tailed delta design and forward canards suggest a stealth RCS of 0.02-0.1 m²—better than the Su-57’s, per some analysts—thanks to extensive composites and RAM. However, its engines—WS-10C initially, transitioning to the troubled WS-15 (142 kN)—have lagged, with thrust vectoring unconfirmed and reliability issues persisting. The J-20’s PL-15 missiles (range 150-200 km) offer BVR reach, but its radar (Type 1475 AESA) and sensor fusion trail the F-35’s integrated suite.
Bakshi’s claim hinges on the Su-57’s superior agility and firepower. With twin AL-51F1 engines (combined 176 kN with afterburner), supercruise at Mach 1.3, and 3D TVC, the Felon outmaneuvers the J-20’s heavier 32-ton frame (MTOW). Its K-77M missile (200 km range) matches or exceeds the PL-15, and the N036 Byelka radar, while less advanced than the F-35’s, provides 360-degree coverage via cheek arrays. “The Su-57 sacrifices some stealth for raw performance—something the J-20 can’t match,” Bakshi argued, pointing to its agility in dogfights and ability to carry heavier external payloads (up to 10 tons vs. J-20’s 8 tons) when stealth isn’t paramount.
Bakshi contends the Su-57 trumps the J-35A through maturity and versatility. With 20+ units in service by 2025 and combat experience in Ukraine (albeit limited), the Felon’s N036 radar and 14 hardpoints (internal and external) offer flexibility the J-35A—still in prototype phase—can’t yet claim. The Su-57’s supercruise and TVC give it an edge in within-visual-range (WVR) combat, where stealth matters less, while the J-35A’s unproven WS-19 engines raise durability questions. “China’s jets look stealthy, but Russia’s flies better,” Bakshi asserted, emphasizing operational readiness over paper specs.
Critics challenge Bakshi’s view. The J-20’s production scale (200 vs. Su-57’s 20) and J-35A’s export potential suggest China’s momentum, while the Su-57’s stealth gaps—exposed rivets, no full internal bay usage—limit its edge over time. Yet, in a South Asian theater, where WVR engagements persist (e.g., Balakot 2019), the Su-57’s agility could outweigh stealth deficits against China’s less-tested designs.
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