Russian su‑57 makes China debut at Airshow 2024
The Su-57 was spotted at Taiyuan-Wusu International Airport in Shanxi Province, central China, on November 3, 2024. The aircraft appeared there in connection with the upcoming Airshow China 2024, where it will participate for the first time. According to Vladimir Putin, "the best aircraft in the world" will be presented to a wider audience.
As reported by Chinese state media, this was the first flight of the Russian Su-57 to China. The aircraft will participate in the 15th edition of Airshow China 2024, beginning on November 12 and going on for six days. The Chinese weekly Global Times mentioned that the Chinese fighter jet, the J-35, might also debut at the show, as suggested by a photo published on social media on Monday, November 4, by the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) press center.
Russia's most advanced fighter jet
The Su-57 (Sukhoi Su-57) is a fifth-generation fighter jet designed to replace older models like the MiG-29 and Su-27. It is powered by two Saturn AL-41F turbofan engines, allowing it to reach a maximum speed of 2.0 Mach (over 1,520 mph). The Su-57 is over 66 feet, its height is 15 feet, and the wingspan is about 46 feet. The standard armament of the fighter includes a 30 mm 9A-4071K cannon. The Su-57 can also carry missiles on six internal and six external hardpoints.
Vladimir Putin has promoted the Su-57 as "the best military aircraft in the world," but its stealth technology is often scrutinized. Although it is designed to be difficult to detect, the Su-57 can still appear on radars, mainly because of its external mounting of armaments. Missiles mounted under the wings, such as the Kh-59, act like large radar reflectors, as WP Tech journalist Łukasz Michalik points out.
Additionally, the aircraft's use in real operations is limited, and its presence in conflicts, such as in Ukraine, raises doubts about its true combat capabilities. Russian efforts to increase production may indicate an attempt to maintain the aircraft's reputation, but detectability problems could affect its effectiveness in combat operations.
