Russia’s Sukhoi Su-57E ‘Felon’ Makes Dubai Debut

Having earlier appeared at shows in Zhuhai, China, last November and Bengaluru, India, in February, the Sukhoi Su-57 “Felon” is making its third international appearance at the Dubai Airshow. Starved of many options to showcase the products of its aerospace and defense industries on the global stage, Russia has seized the opportunity in Dubai to display a wide portfolio of systems, with the Su-57 being the most noteworthy.

A fifth-generation fighter with stealth characteristics, the Su-57 achieved its first flights in 2010 and entered service with the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) in December 2020. Production for the Russian Aerospace Forces has been limited, with an announced 76 aircraft to be procured by the end of 2028. The type has seen limited operational evaluation in Syria in 2018 and has reportedly been employed against Ukraine, firing long-range missiles from within Russian airspace. Currently, the operational fleet is likely to number around 20.

On show in Dubai is T-50-9, the ninth development aircraft, which flew directly into the show from Russia. It is being presented in the form of the Su-57E, an export-specific variant. A major co-production program with India—which would have brought much-needed investment to accelerate development—foundered, although India remains a firm target for the Su-57E, along with several non-aligned nations.

For now, it appears that Algeria is the Su-57E’s first customer, as announced by the state’s media and supported by repeated Russian claims of a sale to an unnamed country. An initial batch of six aircraft has been mentioned. Deliveries were due to start this year, but there has been no further news concerning this acquisition.

During its display routine, T-50-9 reveals its open forward internal weapons bay, the first time this feature has been demonstrated in public. The bays can accommodate long-range air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles. In Dubai, the aircraft carries two representative Kh-58UShK supersonic anti-radiation missiles. This version of the defense suppression weapon is tailored for internal carriage and has a reported range of approximately 150 miles when fired from long range.

The T-50-9 is also being presented alongside two R-74M2 short-range air-to-air missiles. These are carried internally in “quick-launch” stealthy compartments under each leading-edge root extension. As seen during the Dubai Airshow's flying displays, the missiles and their launch rails extend from the compartment out into the airflow, where their seekers can acquire the target.

While the Su-57 boasts an impressive level of air-to-air capability, it may be intended more for long-range attack missions with standoff missiles. It has also been designed to pair with uncrewed combat air vehicles, notably Sukhoi’s stealthy S-70 Okhotnik-B.