LIMA 2019: Russia set to clear Sukhoi Su-57 for export

The Russian government is set to grant authorisation for the export of the Sukhoi Su-57 PAK FA fifth-generation fighter aircraft, a senior Russian defence industry official has revealed.

Viktor Kladov, the director for international co-operation and regional policy at Russia’s Rostec defence industrial holding company, said the version of the aircraft promoted to international customers will be named Su-57E (Export).

He added that he expects the aircraft to be a competitive bidder for programmes in the Middle East and some parts of Asia Pacific.

Russia’s Su-57 fifth-generation fighter aircraft has been given clearance for export. (Sukhoi)

Speaking at a media briefing at the 2019 LIMA exhibition in Langkawi, Kladov said that “all the necessary documentation” to support the approval of exports of the Su-57E has been submitted to the Russian government by UAC and its parent company, Rostec. Final export approval is expected to be provided by Russian President Vladimir Putin in a few weeks.

According to Kladov the Su-57E could be officially unveiled at the Dubai Air Show in November 2019, and this unveiling would reflect the target export market of the Su-57E. “We believe that the Middle East is an attractive market for this aircraft,” said Kladov.

In Asia Pacific, countries likely to be interested in the Su-57E include China and India. “China has recently taken delivery of 24 Su-35 aircraft,” said Kladov, “and in the next two years [China] will make a decision to either procure additional Su-35s, build the Su-35 within China, or to buy a fifth-generation fighter aircraft. This could be another opportunity for the Su-57E.”