Overview
- United Aircraft Corporation said on February 9 it transferred a new batch of Su-57s to the Defense Ministry in a new technical configuration after full factory testing and Aerospace Forces acceptance flights.
- The upgrade centers on avionics and the integrated weapons complex, enabling new munitions and a broader set of missions across air, ground, and naval targets.
- Experts cited by TASS on February 10 reported the latest jets appear to carry an enhanced 101KS infrared passive self-defense and tracking system with medium- and long-wave channels for stealthier threat detection.
- Russian officials describe the Su-57 as combat-tested in the war in Ukraine, while open-source reports have attributed one destroyed and two damaged Su-57s to Ukrainian drone strikes.
- Moscow is promoting exports, with the industry minister saying there is Middle East and Asia-Pacific interest and claiming some Su-57E contracts without details, as officials also signal a future Su-57M with Izdeliye 30 engines.