Russia delivers upgraded Su-57 stealth fighters to its air force

Russia has delivered a new batch of Su-57 stealth fighters to its air force, and the jets come in what the manufacturer calls a “new technical configuration,” with upgraded onboard systems and an expanded set of weapons options.

Rostec, the state conglomerate that owns manufacturer United Aircraft Corporation, announced the delivery but did not say how many aircraft were included or specify which systems were changed.

Each aircraft went through a full cycle of factory testing before military pilots evaluated it across a range of operating conditions. Only after clearing those checks did the jets fly to their home airbase.

Rostec used nearly identical language, “new technical configuration,” to describe an earlier batch of Su-57s delivered in February. That batch reportedly included a new heads-up display for the pilot, a revised arrangement of formation lights, and additional infrared sensors feeding into the aircraft’s targeting system. Rostec’s statement does not make clear whether this delivery represents a further upgrade beyond February’s batch or more aircraft built to that same standard.

“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,” a Su-57 pilot said in Rostec’s statement. “The aircraft has already shown itself well during the special military operation, and the new technical configuration will help expand the range of tasks for which this type of aircraft is used. The promising capabilities built into the aviation weapons complex make it possible to employ new types of airborne weapons.”

“The fifth-generation Su-57 aviation complex is the best aircraft in its class,” said Vadim Badeha, general director of United Aircraft Corporation. “Unconditional fulfillment of the state defense order for the supply of these and other tactical aviation aircraft is our top priority. Our specialists, in cooperation with other Rostec companies, are constantly improving production processes to ensure the necessary pace of aircraft manufacturing.”

The Su-57 is Russia’s fifth-generation stealth fighter, built to strike targets in the air, on the ground, and at sea. Its airframe and coatings are designed to reduce its radar signature, and Russia says it can operate around the clock, including in bad weather or when an adversary is jamming its sensors. The aircraft first flew in 2010 and formally entered Russian service in 2020. Rostec says more than 44 have been built as of 2026, a figure that includes early test aircraft alongside combat-ready jets.

United Aircraft Corporation has also test-flown the Su-57 with a new engine, the Izdeliye 177, which Rostec says produces up to 16,000 kg (35,000 pounds) of thrust with the afterburner engaged. That engine is a step toward a further upgraded variant, the Su-57M, which is expected to use an even more powerful engine, the Izdeliye 30.

Rostec has not disclosed how many Su-57s it plans to deliver before the end of the year, how many of the roughly 44 built so far have been used in combat over Ukraine, or when the Su-57M might enter production.