According to Alexey Krivoruchko, Russian State Secretary for Defense, the Komsomolsk aircraft factory on Amur is now ready to begin industrial production of the Su57, the new 5th generation aircraft of the Russian military aircraft industry. He specifies, during his statement, that the first production aircraft will join the Russian air forces this year.
The Defense Industry and the Ministry of Defense are accustomed to media iteration, and the same information is very often announced several times, by different speakers, while benefiting from the same media exposure, giving the impression of intense activity. This announcement is no exception.
However, it confirms that work on the Izdeliye 30 engine, which is to equip the production version of the Russian fighter, has indeed been completed. This new engine would provide a thrust of 17 tonnes, and will replace the AL41F1 turboprop which fitted the prototypes, and the Su35, whose thrust is limited to 14,5 tonnes.
In addition, it confirms the imminent end of production of the Su30, the Komsomolsk factory on Amur being the one which produces and maintains this aircraft, as well as the Su27 and 33 in service.
This announcement comes at a time when several countries, including India and Turkey, could be receptive to the arguments proposed by the Su57, and in particular its price, estimated for the version intended for Russian forces, at $31 million.