SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
A senior Indian Air Force (IAF) official, speaking to idrw.org on the condition of anonymity, has shed light on the delayed timeline for the Su-57E, the export variant of Russia’s fifth-generation stealth fighter. The official stated that the Su-57E equipped with the latest AL-51F engine and 2D Thrust Vector Control (TVC) nozzles is at least 4–5 years away from production readiness.
Russia has showcased the Su-57E with a stealth engine casing and other enhancements, but it remains unclear if the export version offered to India would include these upgrades. Even if these features are incorporated, the production timeline for such a variant would extend well into the latter half of this decade.
The official also highlighted that the Su-57 units currently in service with the Russian Air Force lack the 2D TVC and stealth engine casing, raising questions about the readiness and maturity of these technologies.
The fate of advanced features like the flat nozzle version of the AL-51F-1 engine and stealth enhancements hinges on the proposed Su-57M, an upgraded variant of the Felon. While development work on the Su-57M is underway, its future remains uncertain due to limited orders for the original Su-57 model.
With only 76 units of the baseline Su-57 currently under contract, progress on the Su-57M could face delays or even cancellation, depending on Russia’s prioritization of resources and market demand.
India has already pulled out of the joint Fifth-Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) program with Russia, citing performance and cost concerns. The delays in the Su-57E further underscore the need for India to explore other options, such as the indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program or partnerships with Western defence manufacturers.
While the Su-57E offers promise as a fifth-generation fighter with advanced stealth and manoeuvrability, its protracted development timeline and uncertainties surrounding key features like the AL-51F engine and 2D TVC make it a less attractive option for India.
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