The Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) have inducted a new batch of Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jets featuring what officials describe as a “new technical profile,” signaling the latest step in Moscow’s effort to refine and expand the capabilities of its most advanced combat aircraft.
The aircraft were delivered by the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), a subsidiary of the state-owned Rostec conglomerate. While Russian authorities have not publicly disclosed the precise technical details of the upgrades, they have emphasized that the newly delivered Su-57s incorporate enhanced onboard systems and a revised weapons configuration that significantly broadens the aircraft’s operational role.
“To fulfill the targets set by the Russian Defense Ministry for the supply of highly sought-after weapons and military equipment to the troops, crews of the Russian Aerospace Forces have accepted the Su-57 aircraft in their new technical configuration,” Rostec’s press service quoted a Su-57 pilot as saying.
Although Rostec did not specify which weapons or avionics systems were modified, the company stressed that the upgrades would enhance the aircraft’s combat profile and expand the range of missions it can undertake.
“The aircraft has already proven itself during the special military operation,” the pilot added, using Moscow’s official term for the war in Ukraine. “The new technical configuration will provide for the expansion of the range of missions for which this aircraft type is deployed. The advanced capabilities incorporated into the aircraft armament system make it possible to use new types of aircraft weapons.”
Rostec underscored that the Su-57 has been regularly deployed to the battlefield in Ukraine, where it has reportedly conducted both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, including long-range missile strikes.
With the delivery of the latest batch, the VKS is now estimated to operate nearly 32 Su-57 fighters. Although this number remains modest compared to fleets of Western fifth-generation fighters such as the F-35, Russian officials have consistently framed the Su-57 program as one that will mature gradually through incremental upgrades under the so-called “Megapolis” development roadmap.
Since entering limited service in 2020, the Su-57 has undergone a steady process of refinement. Early production aircraft were equipped with interim systems and engines, with Russian industry pledging to roll out more advanced subsystems as development milestones are achieved.
The most recent deliveries appear to fit squarely within that strategy—fielding improved variants even as more ambitious upgrades, such as a next-generation engine, remain under development.
The announcement of the new “technical profile” comes less than two months after UAC confirmed it had tested the Su-57 with a new powerplant designated Izdeliye 177. Developed by the United Engine Corporation (UEC), the engine represents the long-awaited second-stage propulsion system intended to replace the Saturn AL-41F1 turbofan currently powering operational Su-57s.
According to Rostec, each Izdeliye 177 engine can deliver up to 16,000 kilograms (approximately 35,000 pounds) of thrust with afterburner engaged. Officials claim the new engine will reduce fuel consumption and offer significantly improved durability compared to the AL-41F1.
The AL-41F1, itself a derivative of engines used on the Su-35, has provided the Su-57 with robust performance, including supermaneuverability and sustained supersonic flight. However, the Izdeliye 177 is expected to enhance the aircraft’s supercruise capability, lower its infrared signature, and improve overall reliability—key attributes for a fifth-generation platform operating in contested environments.
Despite the December 2025 testing milestone, images released by UAC of the newly delivered aircraft suggest that the latest batch remains equipped with the older AL-41F1 engines. This indicates that while the Izdeliye 177 program is progressing, full-scale integration into frontline units may still be forthcoming.
Industry observers note that transitioning to a new engine across an entire fleet is a complex process involving certification, pilot retraining, maintenance adaptation, and supply chain adjustments. As such, incremental introduction is widely expected.
Beyond domestic deliveries, the Su-57 program appears to be gaining traction internationally. Algeria, widely reported to be the first export customer for the Su-57, has reportedly inducted its initial batch of the aircraft.
Earlier this week, videos circulated online showing what appeared to be a Su-57 flying near Oum El Bouaghi Air Base close to Ain Beida in Algeria. Although no official confirmation has been issued by Algiers or Moscow, documents allegedly released following an October 2025 cyberattack by the hacker collective Black Mirror on Rostec suggested that Algeria ordered 12 Su-57 aircraft.
If confirmed, Algeria’s induction of the Su-57 would mark a significant milestone. It would represent the first export of Russia’s fifth-generation fighter despite Western sanctions, supply chain disruptions, and the ongoing war in Ukraine.
For Moscow, securing an export customer serves both financial and geopolitical purposes. It demonstrates continued demand for Russian military hardware and strengthens strategic ties with longstanding defense partners in North Africa.
The reported Algerian induction may also bolster Russia’s prospects in India, which has been evaluating options to expand its fifth-generation fighter fleet. New Delhi is reportedly considering acquiring two to three squadrons of Su-57 aircraft as an interim solution while advancing its indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program.
India was previously involved in the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) project based on the Su-57 but withdrew in 2018 citing concerns over cost, performance, and technology transfer. However, renewed interest has emerged amid regional security dynamics and delays in indigenous development.
The fielding of upgraded Su-57 variants—combined with a potential engine modernization and expanded weapons suite—could make the aircraft more attractive to Indian planners seeking enhanced air dominance capabilities.
While Rostec has not publicly detailed the specific avionics or sensor upgrades in the new batch, high-resolution images released by UAC have drawn attention from open-source intelligence (OSINT) analysts.
George N., an independent OSINT analyst, has pointed to visible changes in the aircraft’s 101KS electro-optical complex—a sensor suite responsible for missile warning, targeting support, and self-protection.
The 101KS system provides the Su-57 with passive infrared detection capabilities, enabling it to identify and track heat signatures from aircraft and incoming missiles. By operating passively, the system allows the fighter to maintain situational awareness without emitting radar signals that could reveal its position.
Modifications observed in recent imagery include revised apertures and additional optical elements that appear to expand spectral coverage. Analysts suggest the new configuration may operate across multiple bands, including visible light, mid-wave and long-wave infrared (IIR), and potentially ultraviolet.
Such enhancements could significantly broaden the system’s capabilities beyond basic missile warning. Rather than functioning solely as a defensive sensor, the upgraded 101KS may generate a continuous multispectral image of the aircraft’s surroundings, approaching near-360-degree coverage.
If confirmed, this evolution would align the Su-57 more closely with the sensor fusion philosophy embodied by the F-35’s AN/AAQ-37 Distributed Aperture System (DAS).
The F-35’s AN/AAQ-37 DAS consists of six infrared sensors distributed around the aircraft, providing spherical situational awareness. It enables long-range detection of missile launches, supports navigation and night operations, and enhances survivability by giving pilots a comprehensive view of the battlespace.
Should the Su-57’s 101KS upgrades indeed approach a similar distributed architecture, it would represent a substantial leap in Russia’s passive surveillance capabilities. A distributed, multispectral sensor network would allow the fighter to detect airborne threats without relying exclusively on radar emissions—an advantage in heavily contested electromagnetic environments.
However, no official confirmation has been provided by Russian authorities regarding a DAS-equivalent capability. Analysts caution that while visual evidence suggests significant modifications, definitive conclusions require detailed technical disclosures.
Another potential enhancement attracting attention is the possible integration of the S-71 air-launched stealth combat UAV. First unveiled during the Army 2024 exhibition, the S-71 is designed to be deployed from a host aircraft for missions including target identification, marking, electronic warfare, or direct attack.
Former Indian Air Force fighter pilot and defense analyst Vijainder K Thakur has suggested that the newly delivered Su-57s may be capable of carrying and controlling the S-71. Doing so would necessitate upgraded onboard computing power, data links, and mission systems—consistent with Rostec’s description of a “new technical configuration.”
Last month, Russian sources reported that an S-71K variant dubbed “Carpet” successfully demonstrated its effectiveness by destroying a highly mobile M142 HIMARS multiple launch rocket system. Although independent verification remains limited, the claim highlights the potential operational utility of an air-launched unmanned adjunct.
If integrated effectively, the S-71 could function as a force multiplier—extending the Su-57’s reach, enhancing survivability, and enabling cooperative engagement tactics. Such manned-unmanned teaming concepts are increasingly central to next-generation air combat doctrines worldwide.
The Su-57 program operates under the broader “Megapolis” modernization framework, which envisions iterative improvements to avionics, cockpit interfaces, engines, sensors, and weapons.
Vadim Badekha, CEO of UAC, emphasized that the platform remains in active evolution.
“The fifth-generation Su-57 aircraft system is the best aircraft in its class, but we’re not resting on our laurels,” Badekha said. “The fighter has undergone a tremendous evolution and its improvement continues today – the aircraft’s weapons and systems capabilities are being upgraded.”
“This fighter allows us to solve the most important tasks today, demonstrating efficiency and excellent maneuverability and combat capabilities,” he added.
Russian engineers have portrayed the Su-57 as a future-oriented system intended to serve as Moscow’s principal air combat platform well beyond 2040. The emphasis on modular upgrades suggests an approach aimed at sustaining relevance in the face of rapid technological change.
The war in Ukraine has provided a real-world testing ground for Russian airpower, including the Su-57. While the aircraft has reportedly conducted limited sorties early in the conflict, more recent statements indicate more regular deployment.
Operating in a high-threat environment characterized by advanced air defense systems and electronic warfare has likely influenced the pace and direction of Su-57 upgrades. Enhancements to passive sensing, electronic protection, and standoff weapon integration are consistent with lessons drawn from contested airspace operations.
By refining the Su-57’s ability to operate under electronic silence, integrate unmanned systems, and deploy advanced munitions, Moscow appears intent on shaping the aircraft into a more versatile and survivable platform.
The induction of upgraded Su-57 fighters with a “new technical profile” underscores Russia’s determination to advance its fifth-generation capabilities despite economic pressures and wartime constraints.
While questions remain regarding production rates, engine integration timelines, and the full scope of avionics enhancements, the trajectory of the program points toward gradual but steady maturation.
Export momentum—beginning with Algeria and potentially extending to India—could provide additional impetus and funding for further development.
As global air forces race toward sixth-generation concepts and increasingly emphasize networked, distributed operations, Russia’s evolving Su-57 represents both a technological and strategic statement: that Moscow intends to remain a significant player in high-end air combat well into the coming decades.
Whether the platform ultimately achieves parity with Western fifth-generation fighters will depend on the successful integration of next-generation engines, advanced sensor fusion, and unmanned teaming capabilities. For now, the latest deliveries signal a continued evolution—one shaped by battlefield experience, export ambitions, and the shifting dynamics of modern air warfare.
