A Russian Su-57 stealth fighter landed in Taiyuan, North China’s Shanxi Province, on November 3, marking its first-ever visit to China. The Su-57, Russia’s advanced fifth-generation fighter, is the centerpiece of Russia’s aerial combat capability and the latest in stealth technology. This historic visit underlines the deepening ties between Russia and China in defense and technology cooperation, and experts are speculating whether the aircraft will perform demonstration flights at the upcoming Zhuhai Airshow, scheduled to take place from November 12 to 17. If the Su-57 flies at Zhuhai, it will be the aircraft’s first flight demonstration at an international event outside of Russia.
The arrival of the Su-57 in China has generated excitement among defense analysts and aviation enthusiasts. Since the Su-57’s international debut at the Dubai Airshow in 2017, where it was only on static display, the aircraft has largely stayed within Russian airspace during its test and operational flights. The fighter, known for its stealth capabilities and agility, has only demonstrated its flight capabilities in Russia, including at the MAKS Air Shows in Moscow in 2019 and 2021.
Photographs taken of the Su-57 upon its landing at Taiyuan reveal that the aircraft bears the Bort number 54, indicating that it is likely an earlier prototype model. Experts suggest this prototype may have been produced well before 2019, as Bort numbers 51 and 57 were previously observed at Russian airshows. Given that this particular Su-57 is equipped with AL-41F1 engines, it further reinforces the notion that the aircraft in China is a prototype model, not yet equipped with the more advanced Izdeliye 30 engines expected in newer versions.
The Su-57, which first took flight in 2010, represents Russia’s ambition to compete in the fifth-generation fighter jet market, challenging U.S. counterparts such as the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II. The aircraft features low observability, advanced avionics, and supermaneuverability, making it a formidable player on paper. However, its journey to full operational status has been marred by production delays, technical setbacks, and challenges in integrating its planned state-of-the-art Izdeliye 30 engine, designed to enable supercruise—a key capability that allows sustained supersonic flight without afterburners.
Despite these obstacles, the Su-57 remains highly regarded for its affordability and accessibility, which offer appealing options to nations with limited defense budgets. Countries like India have shown interest in the fighter, although their commitment may depend on whether the Su-57 achieves supercruise, which would substantially enhance its competitive standing.
The Zhuhai Airshow, one of Asia’s premier aerospace events, has often served as a stage for major players in the defense industry to showcase their latest technologies. Whether the Su-57 will perform in-flight demonstrations remains unclear, but if it does, it would be a significant moment, as the aircraft has yet to perform a live demonstration outside of Russia. Such a performance could capture the attention of potential buyers from Asia, Africa, South America, and the Middle East, all regions where demand for advanced, cost-effective fighters is high.
Military experts suggest that Russia’s decision to bring the Su-57 to Zhuhai, even without the Izdeliye 30 engine, may signal an effort to highlight the strategic partnership between Moscow and Beijing. Additionally, it would serve as a reminder to other global powers of the deepening defense ties between Russia and China. In particular, the two nations are keen to demonstrate their technological exchange capabilities in areas traditionally dominated by the U.S. and its allies.
The Su-57 has seen limited use in active combat, but it has been deployed in specific conflict zones, including Syria, where it operated in a theater patrolled by U.S. stealth fighters. This deployment gave the Su-57 valuable combat exposure in a near peer-to-peer environment, an experience shared by few fifth-generation fighters globally.
In July, Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) told TASS that the Su-57, alongside other aircraft such as the Su-34 and Su-35, constitutes a central combat link for Russia’s Special Military Operation (SMO) in Ukraine. This role does not necessarily involve direct combat in contested airspace, but instead a coordinated response to evolving threats. UAC’s statement emphasizes the importance of the Su-57 within Russia’s broader military ecosystem, even if its deployment remains relatively constrained due to operational and production limitations.
Russia’s ability to market the Su-57 internationally hinges on its production capacity, an area that has faced significant bottlenecks. In 2023, the United Aircraft Corporation announced its intention to ramp up production, targeting 24 Su-57 units in 2024. However, UAC’s actual output has fallen short of this goal, with only one confirmed batch of Su-57s delivered to the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) in 2024.
The recent UAC Telegram post in September, showcasing videos and images of a limited number of Su-57s in formation, hinted at possible additional production, but the actual number remains unconfirmed. This shortfall highlights Russia’s ongoing struggle to achieve consistent, large-scale production of the Su-57, raising questions about its export reliability, a critical factor for international buyers.
The appearance of the Su-57 in China could have broader strategic ramifications. The Su-57’s participation at the Zhuhai Airshow, if confirmed, may be less about immediate sales and more about showcasing Russia’s technological advancements and signaling its commitment to its defense partnership with China. By presenting the Su-57 in an international arena shared with China’s J-20 and other Chinese stealth fighters, Russia might aim to display solidarity with China while emphasizing its relevance in the global arms market.
Moreover, with the United States and its allies strengthening their own defense cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region, the Russian-Chinese defense alignment serves as a counterbalance. This alignment would send a clear message to NATO and allied forces, signaling that Russia and China remain capable of advancing and sharing sophisticated military technologies.
Russia’s export strategy for the Su-57 revolves around appealing to countries seeking high-performance, stealth-enabled fighters at a lower price point than Western models. By leveraging the Su-57’s affordability, Russia could secure orders from countries in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East that are unable to procure American fighters due to costs or political restrictions. The fighter’s demonstrated agility and stealth features, even without the advanced Izdeliye 30 engine, could prove alluring to these markets, as could its proven combat experience in Syria.
Russia’s challenge, however, remains its ability to meet production demands and maintain a steady supply chain. Potential buyers are watching Russia’s production challenges closely, as any export contracts would require assurances of timely delivery—a promise that Russia has struggled to fulfill with the Su-57 so far.
China, with its growing array of advanced stealth fighters such as the J-20 and the upcoming J-35, has made remarkable progress in its defense industry. The J-20, a homegrown fifth-generation stealth fighter, already serves as the backbone of China’s air force and represents the country’s strategic ambition to establish itself as a leading military power.
At the Zhuhai Airshow, China is expected to showcase its advancements in stealth technology, which may compete directly with the Su-57. However, rather than merely competing, the Su-57’s presence may complement China’s own capabilities, illustrating a shared commitment between Russia and China to develop independent, next-generation military technology outside Western influence.
