Beijing. In a show of strength, Russia has fielded SU-57 stealth fighter jet for the first time in China. The Russian Su-57 aircraft landed at Taiyuan airbase in northern China’s Shanxi province. The Su-57 was first showcased internationally at the Dubai Airshow in November 2017. However, the Su-57 did not fly in this airshow, rather it just stood there like a statue. At that time it was a prototype of the aircraft and was undergoing testing. This aircraft flew for the first time in 2010. It is not yet known whether the Su-57 fighter aircraft will fly at the Zhuhai Airshow 2024 to be held from 12 to 17 November 2024. Till now the Su-57 aircraft has not demonstrated its flights in any international air show outside Russia. However, it has demonstrated its flying capabilities at the MAKS air show near Moscow in 2019 and 2021. The Su-57, photographed while landing in Taiyuan, has the bore number 54, which suggests it is a prototype that was likely produced before 2019. The Bort 51 was one of the fighter aircraft that participated in MAKS 2019 and the Bort 57 was on static display at the air show. The Su-57 fighter aircraft arriving in China is equipped with AL-41F1 engine, which is in line with its prototype status. The new variant of the Su-57 is expected to be powered by the fighter’s Stat 2 powerplant, the Izdeliye 30 engine. According to Russian media reports, serial production of the Su-57 powered by the Izdeliye 30 engine will begin in 2024. This will give more power to the SU-57 fighter aircraft and will also cost less on maintenance.
Russian SU-57 giving message of Chinese friendship
The Su-57’s participation in the Zhuhai Airshow aims to highlight the deepening defense ties between Russia and China and to explain to Russian adversaries the strategic implications of defense cooperation and technology sharing between Russia and China. The Su-57’s potential participation at the Zhuhai Airshow is not aimed at finding new buyers. He just wants to show how much importance Russia is giving to defense relations with its friend China. This is also because everyone knows that the Su-57 is currently undergoing trials and the Russian Air Force itself has not yet included this aircraft in its fleet. In such a situation, no country would want to buy this aircraft worth crores of rupees just like that.