Russia is set to make the first public overseas presentation of the export-configured Su-57E fighter with a new weapons system at the El Alamein International Airshow in Egypt, while also unveiling a family of low-observable unmanned platforms designed for launch from fifth-generation fighters.
Rostec said the Su-57E would be displayed with a weapon that has never previously been demonstrated either in Russia or abroad. The company has not disclosed the identity or technical characteristics of the weapon. The aircraft will also participate in the flying display during the 8–10 September airshow at El Alamein International Airport.
The unmanned systems are being presented separately as a family of multifunctional platforms intended for use with fifth-generation fighters. Rostec described them as low-observable, high-speed systems with extended range and different wing configurations. The company said the platforms are intended to perform a broad range of missions and will be shown alongside the Su-57E as part of their international debut.
The combination of the fighter and launchable unmanned systems points to a broader Russian export proposition in which the Su-57E is presented as a platform for operating with expendable or attritable autonomous systems. Rostec has not released details of the platforms’ launch method, propulsion, payloads or intended tactical roles.
Russia has been seeking export customers for the Su-57E since Rosoboronexport announced contracts for the fifth-generation fighter in November 2024. UAC subsequently reported the transfer of the first two production aircraft in export configuration to a foreign customer. The customer was not publicly identified in those announcements.
Photographs circulated on social media in August 2026 showed two Su-57E aircraft associated with the Algerian Air Force. The images have not been accompanied by an official Russian announcement identifying Algeria as the customer.
The Su-57E is the export version of Russia’s Su-57 fifth-generation multirole fighter. The aircraft is equipped with an active electronically scanned array radar, an electro-optical detection system and an integrated weapons-management system. Russian specifications give a maximum take-off weight of 35,000 kg, a maximum speed of 2,600 km/h, a service ceiling of 20,000 m and a combat radius of 1,500 km.
The fighter is designed to employ air-to-air and air-to-surface guided missiles and guided bombs, and is fitted with a 30 mm cannon. Rostec has positioned the type for international customers while emphasising its combat experience and the expansion of its weapons options.
Rosoboronexport is organising the Russian national display at El Alamein. The simultaneous presentation of the Su-57E, a previously unseen weapons system and launchable low-observable UAVs gives the Egyptian airshow particular significance for Russia’s campaign to market the fighter as part of a wider combat-aircraft system rather than as a standalone platform.
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading...