Russia’s Su-57 Felon ‘Stealth’ Fighter Is on ‘Life Support’

Key Points – Algeria has become the first export customer for Russia’s Su-57 “Felon” fifth-generation stealth fighter, with an initial order for six Su-57E variant aircraft expected for delivery by late 2025 and operational status in 2026; a follow-on order for eight more is rumored.

-This purchase, occurring amidst a regional arms dynamic with Morocco, provides a crucial lifeline for Russia’s struggling Su-57 program.

-Despite Russian claims of its advanced capabilities, including stealth and ability to counter Western air defenses, the Su-57’s performance is debated by Western analysts, its combat use in Ukraine has been limited and cautious, and Russia faces challenges in mass production.

Su-57 Felon Fighter Saved, For Now

Russia’s troubled Su-57 Felon fighter jet program has just been given a lifeline, but truly is still on life support, in a sense.

The airplane has finally found an export partner. Reports from Russian state media and statements from Algerian officials have revealed that Algeria plans to purchase an estimated six Su-57E (export version) stealth fighters. These will be delivered towards the end of the year, and the Algerian Air Force will begin flying them in 2026.

Algerian pilots are training now in Russia. Moscow’s weapons supplier Rosoboronexport had been mentioning Algeria as a potential destination for the Su-57E since February’s Aero India 2025 air expo and the Zhuhai Airshow China event in 2024.

This is the first time the Su-57E will be exported overseas. The Su-57 has endured a mixed history. Meant to be the airplane that would make Russia a worldwide stealth fighter leader, the Su-57 hasn’t performed that well in Ukraine, often staying in the background and not flying in Ukrainian air space. Russia has also struggled to sell it widely.

Will Russia Have Enough Su-57s to Make a Difference?

The Russian Air Force is in the process of purchasing 76 Su-57 fighters by 2028 from the United Aircraft Corporation in a contract agreed to in 2019. This lot of 76 will create three aviation regiments. The Air Force received the first Su-57 in 2020. The contractor had produced 22 airplanes by late 2023.

More About the Su-57

The fifth-generation Su-57 reportedly has high levels of radar-evading attributes. The fighter is versatile and can engage targets on land and at sea. It is a multi-role, all-weather jet. The Su-57 features two thrust vectoring engines that can propel it to a speed of MACH 2—the Saturn AL-41F1 after-burning turbofans. The Su-57 can travel using supercruise at MACH 1.3.

Not a Bad Weapons Load Out

The Su-57 carries weapons in internal bays. The Felon deploys infrared short-range air-to-air missiles and longer-range missiles beyond visual range. It can also fire cruise missiles and other tactical missiles for land targets. The Su-57 can blow up radar sites with anti-radiation missiles. Plus, there are guided bombs and cluster bombs that can be dropped.

The Felon has “the N036 Belka radar system with X-band AESA radar in the nose,” according to ArmyRecognition.com. The Su-57 can also serve as a “drone quarterback” and control the S-70 Okhotnik combat drone.

Algeria Will Be an Interesting Use Case

Algeria is the first country to order a fifth-generation fighter other than the F-35. It will also be the first African nation to have such an advanced airplane. Algeria, a former French colony, will have a fighter that could outfly other jets in France’s inventory.

Algeria’s partnership with Russia allows it to undermine Turkish influence in the region. Algeria is a rival of Syria and Libya, which have had their governments replaced with new regimes.

India Is a Main Sales Target

Russia is considering selling the Su-57E to North Korea, Vietnam, and India. All would welcome having such an advanced fighter. India is especially interested since the country’s air force engaged in a recent large dogfight against Pakistan’s Chinese-built J-10C fighters. The J-10s outperformed Indian jets, and the government aims to acquire a fifth-generation stealth fighter to enhance its homeland’s protection against Pakistan. India is also considering the American F-35 Lightning II.

Russia is likely overjoyed with finally having an export destination for the Su-57, but it has a long way to go before the program can be considered a success. The F-35 has been highly valued on the export market, as at least 19 countries are Lightning II partners.

The Su-57 was struck by air strikes on the ground at a Russian air base in 2024 in an action that damaged two Felons. Vladimir Putin still maintains that the Su-57 is the best fighter in the world. Other Russian sources have bragged extensively about the stealth warbird.

“Russia’s cutting-edge Su-57 fighter has taken the lead in aerospace technology and is set for accelerated deployment. This sets the stage for a clash of titans, pitting the Su-57’s unparalleled agility against the F-35’s capabilities, and highlights the Russian aircraft’s combat prowess during its deployment in the current Ukraine conflict,” according to pro-Russia outlet Sputnik.

The Ukrainians disagree that the Su-57 is a fully stealthy fifth-generation jet and regard it as a fourth-generation-plus model instead. By 2024, only around 20 Su-57s had been produced – not really enough to tip the balance in the war against Ukraine.

Most of the time, it stays in Russian air space and launches air-to-surface cruise missiles. Russia hesitates to allow it to fly over Ukraine for fear of it getting shot down. Much cheaper and older airplanes than the Su-57 can conduct the same missions using glide bombs.

The Algerian deal is good news for the Russian defense industry, but so far, the Su-57 is still struggling to make a name for itself. Algeria probably can’t afford to buy more than the first batch of six, and it’s not clear if their pilots can fly the Su-57 expertly.

The Su-57 program will need many more customers before it can be considered a success in the export market. The airplane is not ready for prime time and would require more combat experience besides run-of-the-mill cruise missile attacks while it flies in the rear.

A sale to India must be consummated before the Felon can claim victory with its export version. This is still a struggling airplane and not precisely what Putin envisioned for the world’s greatest fighter jet.

About the Author: Dr. Brent M. Eastwood

Brent M. Eastwood, PhD is the author of Don’t Turn Your Back On the World: a Conservative Foreign Policy and Humans, Machines, and Data: Future Trends in Warfare plus two other books. Brent was the founder and CEO of a tech firm that predicted world events using artificial intelligence. He served as a legislative fellow for U.S. Senator Tim Scott and advised the senator on defense and foreign policy issues. He has taught at American University, George Washington University, and George Mason University. Brent is a former U.S. Army Infantry officer. He can be followed on X @BMEastwood.

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