Rostec Delivers Upgraded Su-57 Stealth Fighters to Russian Military

Moscow/ New Delhi: Rostec’s United Aircraft Corporation has officially delivered a new batch of fifth-generation Su-57 fighter jets with upgraded systems and weapons to the Russian Ministry of Defence, marking a notable step forward in the aircraft’s combat capability.

According to Rostec, the newly transferred Su-57s are produced in a new technical configuration that includes improved onboard avionics and sensor systems designed to strengthen situational awareness and target detection.

The aircraft also feature an enhanced weapons complex that allows the use of newer air-to-air and air-to-surface munitions, while refinements to combat systems reportedly reflect lessons learned from operational experience.

The jets successfully completed factory testing, and pilots from the Russian Aerospace Forces validated their performance across a range of flight conditions before acceptance into service.

Russian media quotes pilots as saying the upgraded Su-57 can perform a wider range of missions and employ advanced air weapons more effectively. This reinforces the aircraft’s intended role as a multirole platform capable of air superiority missions as well as precision strikes in environments protected by modern air-defense systems.

Officials also state that the aircraft’s updated configuration incorporates feedback from active deployments, suggesting a closer link between frontline experience and ongoing modernization.

Beyond the upgrades officially confirmed in this delivery, broader development work on the Su-57 program continues. These efforts reportedly include measures to reduce the aircraft’s infrared signature, testing of artificial intelligence–based assistance systems that function as an electronic co-pilot, and flight trials of the advanced Product 177 engine, which is expected to improve thrust, efficiency, and overall performance in future variants.

The Su-57, Russia’s first operational fifth-generation fighter, has faced a slow and complex production ramp-up, influenced by technological hurdles and international sanctions. Through 2025, deliveries were limited, with fourth-generation aircraft such as the Su-35 and Su-34 accounting for the bulk of new additions to the fleet.

The latest handover nevertheless signals that production is continuing and that Moscow remains focused on fielding more advanced combat aviation assets.

Strategically, the ongoing modernization of the Su-57 reflects broader efforts to upgrade Russia’s armed forces and aerospace industry amid heightened geopolitical tensions.

Expanded capabilities and improved weapons integration are intended to strengthen air dominance in contested regions, counter advanced air-defense networks, and enable effective operations alongside other modernized platforms.