Key Points and Summary – Europe’s Eurofighter Typhoon and Russia’s Su-57 would meet very differently depending on the fight.
-On paper, the Su-57 brings stealth shaping, supercruise, and wild post-stall tricks—built to land the first shot at long range with missiles like the R-77M or R-37M.
-The Typhoon counters with superb sensors, the PIRATE IRST, and the Meteor—whose big no-escape zone can flip the script if the Su-57 is detected in time.
-Up close, the Su-57’s thrust-vectoring makes it dangerous, but the Typhoon’s canard-delta agility and pilot-friendly cockpit keep it in the knife fight.
-In the end, tactics, surprise, and crew skill decide it.
Su-57 vs. Eurofighter Typhoon
The Eurofighter Typhoon is one of the most advanced fighter jets built by Europe.
Designed and manufactured as a joint effort by several European companies, the Typhoon was intended to be the primary fighter jet for the European continent.
The aircraft sports sophisticated avionics, advanced flight control systems, high-performance engines, and a lethal payload.
Russia is currently the most significant security threat facing Europe. Its most advanced fighter, the Su-57 Felon, is often considered to be one of the worst fifth-generation fighters in terms of overall performance and stealth characteristics.
In the event of a war between Russia and NATO, the two fighters would likely meet in combat, but which one would be victorious?
Comparing Europe and Russia’s Most Advanced Fighters
The Eurofighter Typhoon is classified as a 4.5-generation multirole fighter. It was designed with agility and speed in mind, featuring a canard-delta wing configuration that makes it highly maneuverable. Although it incorporates some stealth features, such as radar-absorbent materials and a reduced radar cross-section, it is not a true stealth aircraft.
Its design prioritizes aerodynamic performance and sensor integration over low observability. The Typhoon is optimized for air superiority but has evolved into a capable multirole platform, able to conduct ground attack missions with precision-guided munitions.
In contrast, the Su-57 is a fifth-generation fighter that emphasizes stealth, supermaneuverability, and versatility. Its airframe incorporates internal weapons bays, radar-absorbing coatings, and a shape designed to minimize radar and infrared signatures.
The Su-57 also features thrust-vectoring engines, allowing it to perform extreme post-stall maneuvers such as the cobra and tail slide. These capabilities make it highly effective in close-range dogfights, although its stealth and long-range missile systems are intended to give it an edge in beyond-visual-range (BVR) combat.
Engine Performance and Stealth Capabilities
When comparing raw performance metrics, both aircraft are capable of reaching speeds around Mach 2. The Su-57 can supercruise at around Mach 1.3, while the Eurofighter can reach speeds at around Mach 1.5 without afterburners.
The Su-57 also has a greater operational range, estimated between 3,500 and 5,000 kilometers (depending on the source), compared to the Typhoon’s roughly 2,900 kilometers. This gives the Su-57 more strategic flexibility, especially in large theaters of operation.
Su-57 Felon Artist Image> Image Credit: Screenshot.
The Su-57’s stealth design allows it to engage targets without being detected, giving it a first-shot advantage in BVR scenarios.
That being said, compared to other stealth fighters, the Su-57 falls short in this regard. Stealth is not absolute, and the Typhoon’s advanced sensors and data-link capabilities can mitigate this advantage. If the Typhoon detects the Su-57 early enough, it could launch a Meteor missile and potentially neutralize the threat before the Su-57 closes the distance.
Avionics and Electronics
In terms of avionics and sensors, both aircraft are well-equipped. The Typhoon is equipped with the Captor-E AESA radar, which offers a wide field of regard and excellent tracking capabilities.
It also features the PIRATE infrared search and track (IRST) system, which allows passive detection of enemy aircraft. The Typhoon’s defensive aids subsystem (DASS) provides electronic warfare capabilities, and its Striker II helmet-mounted display (HMD) integrates night vision and targeting information directly into the pilot’s field of view.
The Su-57’s sensor suite is more distributed, with the N036 Byelka AESA radar system providing 360-degree coverage through multiple radar arrays, including cheek-mounted L-band radars.
Its 101KS Atoll IRST system complements its radar capabilities, and its electronic warfare suite is integrated into the airframe.
Su-57 Felon Stealth Fighter from Russia. Image: Creative Commons.
The Su-57 also features an advanced HMD that supports targeting and situational awareness, potentially enhanced by artificial intelligence systems.
Weaponry
In terms of weapon systems, the Typhon has a superior payload capacity and has a highly diverse arsenal. It can carry a mix of air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons, including the Meteor missile, which is widely regarded as one of the most advanced BVR missiles in the world.
The Meteor’s long range and high no-escape zone give the Typhoon a significant advantage in BVR engagements. It also carries ASRAAM or IRIS-T missiles for short-range combat, as well as Brimstone and Storm Shadow missiles for ground attack missions.
A UK Typhoon flies above the Baltics on 25 May 2022.
UK and Czech fighter jets have been taking part in air defence training over the Baltic region. UK Eurofighter Typhoons, F-35s and Czech Gripens were involved in an exercise as part of Neptune Shield 22 (NESH22), a multinational maritime vigilance activity. NESH22 has seen a range of multi-domain activities between air, land and maritime assets across Europe and in the Baltic and Mediterranean Seas. It runs from 17 to 31 May 2022.
The Su-57 carries its weapons internally to preserve stealth, with bays for both BVR and WVR missiles.
It can deploy the R-77M and R-37M missiles, the latter of which has an exceptionally long range and is designed to target high-value assets, such as AWACS and tankers. For close combat, it uses the R-74M short-range missile.
The Su-57 also has a 30mm cannon, compared to the Typhoon’s 27mm Mauser BK-27 gun. While the Su-57’s internal carriage limits its payload compared to the Typhoon’s 13 external hardpoints, it can still carry a substantial load when stealth is not a priority.
Which Fighter Wins?
The Su-57 has a. infamous reputation among Western analysts, but in a one-on-one engagement, it is actually reasonably well-equipped to take on most fighters.
In a BVR engagement, the Su-57’s stealth and long-range missiles give it a clear advantage, allowing it to strike first and potentially avoid detection.
However, the Typhoon’s Meteor missile and sensor fusion capabilities could level the playing field if it detects the Su-57 early enough.
A UK Typhoon flies above the Baltics on 25 May 2022. Image Credit: NATO.
In a WVR engagement, the Su-57’s thrust-vectoring and post-stall agility give it a slight edge, but the Typhoon’s high turn rate and pilot interface could allow it to outmaneuver the Su-57 in sustained combat.
In a visual-range dogfight, the dynamics shift. The Typhoon’s agility and high instantaneous turn rate make it a formidable opponent.
Its canard-delta configuration allows rapid directional changes and sustained high-G maneuvers. Unfortunately, the Su-57 excels in agility (to the detriment of its stealth profile) and is capable of executing impressive maneuvers.
While it is not a foregone conclusion, the Su-57 is more than capable of engaging the Eurofighter in a close-range combat.
About the Author: Isaac Seitz
Isaac Seitz, a Defense Columnist, graduated from Patrick Henry College’s Strategic Intelligence and National Security program. He has also studied Russian at Middlebury Language Schools and has worked as an intelligence Analyst in the private sector.
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