Images suggest first delivery of Su-57 fighter jets to Russian Air Force
The Russian Air Force may have received the first Sukhoi Su-57 fighter jets from 2025 in recent days, despite no official statement.
Images of two stealth fighters began circulating on social media on Friday showing the aircraft on what appeared to be a stopover during the ferry flight from Komsomolsk-on-Amur.
What is most striking about the photos is that they bear the registration of the Russian Air Force. One of the jets, the “Red 25” displays the registration RF-81796 while the “Red 26” has the registration RF-81797.
United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), which manufactures the Su-57, does not release images with the markings to make it difficult for intelligence services.
The Sukhoi Su-57 ‘Felon’ is considered a 5th generation fighter by Russia, which would have stealth capabilities, but Western and even Chinese analysts tend to disregard the claim.
For them, the jet lacks crucial aspects for a low radar signature aircraft, such as the absence of radar absorbent material (RAM), fuselage and wing joints with large gaps and even visible rivets.
The Russian Air Force ordered 76 Su-57 fighters, which it began receiving in 2020. The delivery rate appears to be quite low, but the UAC used to announce batches of one or two aircraft.
However, no deliveries have been confirmed for 2025. Despite this, Roboronexport, the Russian export agency, stated that the Su-57 already has a first foreign customer.
Algeria would be the future operator of the aircraft, and is expected to receive the first fighters at the end of the year, according to local media.
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