Trump presidency could shift balance on Russian Su‑57 woes
Russians facing challenges in producing the Su-57 are hopefully anticipating changes in the White House. According to The Telegraph, the most advanced Russian fighter jet could potentially be saved by Donald Trump.
In September of this year, a report by analysts from the Frontelligence Insight group was released. It indicated that Russians, who initially coped well with Western sanctions, are now increasingly feeling their impact after over 1,000 days of conflict in Ukraine. This is especially true for the production of advanced equipment requiring sophisticated electronics. In the case of the Su-57, the situation has become so critical that its production could soon be in jeopardy.
Trump could save the Russian Su-57 fighter jet
According to "The Telegraph," Russia's production issues could be resolved soon after Donald Trump assumes the presidency in the United States. All he would need to do is lift some of the sanctions he openly criticized during his election campaign.
Although Russians frequently find ways to circumvent these sanctions, they must acquire the necessary components through complex processes and intermediaries. This not only slows down but also increases the cost of weapons production.
Foreign sanctions targeting UAC (United Aircraft Corporation) and other Russian weapons manufacturers may be ineffective. Still, according to a report by The Telegraph, they are sufficient to hinder the modernization of the Russian air force.
Russia's modern fighter jet
The Su-57 is a fifth-generation Russian fighter jet, described as the most advanced combat aircraft of the Russians, which has recently started appearing over Ukraine. This aircraft can reach up to approximately 1,520 mph and operate at altitudes of up to 65,600 feet. From the Ukrainians' perspective, a notable feature of the Su-57 is its capability to carry a dangerous arsenal, including upgraded Kh-58 missiles that can reach up to 2,680 mph after launch and provide a range of up to 152 miles.
The Su-57's production challenges could worsen further because, at the end of October, the U.S. government imposed new sanctions on 400 entities based in countries such as China and India. These entities were found to be supplying Russia with goods subject to sanctions. Systematically "eliminating" intermediaries has compounded the Russians' difficulties and expenses. For this reason, "The Telegraph" assesses that the decisions of the new President of the United States will be extremely important.
