Today, the only device identified as " 5eme generation »Available on the international market is the F-35 of the American Lockheed. If the United States does not spare itself much to promote its device to its allies, it also acts as a technological lever in regional policies, depending on whether or not a country has the export authorization to acquire the device. . This is the case, for example, of many Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates which, although allies of the United States, cannot equip themselves with F-35 to respect the contractual technological advantage that the United States confers on Israel.
And it is precisely aware of this opportunity that Russia announced, through the voice of Vicktor Kladov, the director of international cooperation and regional policies of the Rostec consortium, than a version of the Su-57, the 5th generation device of Russian invoice, will soon be offered on the export market, on the occasion of the Langkawi International Maritime and Air, or LIMA, which takes place this week in Malaysia. Among the potential customers of the device, the Russian group precisely identifies Malaysia, India, and several Gulf countries. We could also add Egypt to this list, which will not fail to take an interest in the potential of the Russian aircraft, as well as of course, Turkey, if the exclusion from the F-35 program were to be confirmed.
Information on the exact capacities and performances of the Su-57 are piecemeal, and not cross-checked, especially since the device has not yet evolved into its definitive operational standard, particularly in terms of engines. It seems accepted that its stealth will be significantly less than that of the F-35, and would be closer to that of a Rafale in a smooth configuration, of the order of 0,1m2 in the frontal sector. But the Russian plane will be far from being helpless, in particular thanks to 360° radar coverage, very large ammunition bunkers, a significant fuel carrying capacity giving it a very large range of action, and the reliability represented by the twin-engine configuration. Work is also underway to enable it to evolve in cooperation with the Okoshnik combat drone, to be capable of implementing the Kinjal hypersonic missile, or the very long-range air)air missile R-37, designed to eliminate tanker planes and awacs more than 300 km away.
Regardless, the arrival of Su-57 on the international market will probably accelerate the redefinition of the global geopolitical map, an exercise in which Europe will be notably absent. It is also likely that this will cause China to itself accelerate its export stealth programs, such as the FC-31. Finally, it will make it even more difficult to position devices like the Rafale, Typhoon, the F-18 and even the Su-35, as long as the Russian aircraft manages to convince in terms of reliability and industrial support, two critical areas in recent decades for the Russian aeronautical industry, but which quickly seem to be s improved in recent years.
Once again, the impasse made by France and the Europeans on the 5eme generation, as on light combat aircraft, turns out to be a very risky bet to continue to exist as a major player in the Defense aeronautical industry in the decades to come on a global scale.