RuAviation

The first foreign customer for the fifth-generation Su-57 fighter will receive the aircraft and commence operations as early as 2025, according to Alexander Mikheev, head of Rosoboronexport. This information was disclosed at the Aero India 2025 exhibition, reports Interfax.

“The first international customer for the prospective Su-57E fifth-generation multirole fighter will begin operating this aircraft, supplied by Rosoboronexport, in 2025,” he stated in Bangalore.

The contract with the foreign customer was signed previously, in November 2024, at the Zhuhai Airshow. However, details of the deal, including the number of aircraft and the recipient nation, were not disclosed.

Vadim Badeha, Director General of the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), also present in Zhuhai, noted that a waiting list for the Su-57 had formed.

“The Su-57 has long been of legitimate interest to our long-standing partners. It can be said that a queue for this aircraft has already developed,” the UAC chief stated.

Foreign customers’ interest in the Su-57 is driven not only by the aircraft’s flight performance but also by the characteristics of its power plant. The export version of the engine for the Su-57, known as ‘Product 177S,’ is attracting considerable attention due to its operational parameters.

“It undoubtedly generates interest, particularly in conjunction with the Su-57 aircraft,” said Alexei Nesterenko, Deputy Director General for Sales and Service at the United Engine Corporation (UEC), during the Aero India airshow.

Particular emphasis is being placed on the engine’s service life, which significantly exceeds that of its predecessors. This makes the aircraft more attractive in terms of long-term operation and reduced maintenance costs.

According to Alexei Nesterenko, the power plant’s capabilities are not immediately apparent from its appearance, but interest increases noticeably during negotiations and explanations of the engine’s features.

“Primarily, it’s the service life. This is what makes the engine more durable. The service life here is substantially higher than that of its predecessors, one might say by a factor of three,” Nesterenko explained on Russia 24 TV.