The next MAKS air show will open in a few days. As part of this event, the Russian aviation industry plans to show several interesting new products. The main premiere of the salon may be a promising fifth-generation fighter Su-57 in export performance. As it turned out, this version of the project is already ready and can be offered to foreign customers.
Main news
The Su-57E project and its imminent premiere on August 16 was announced by the Rosoboronexport organization, which represents the interests of defense enterprises in the international market. In the official press release of the organization, several demonstrations of modern aviation technology were announced, capable of attracting a lot of attention of specialists and guests of the salon.
The Su-57E multipurpose fighter was developed by PJSC Sukhoi Company, which is part of the United Aircraft Corporation. By now, the aircraft has received the necessary export documentation, which allows it to be offered to potential customers. At the request of foreign partners, a presentation of new technology can be organized.
Rosoboronexport in its message provided basic information about the Su-57E aircraft, but did not go into details. The exact technical appearance and differences from the basic version have not yet been disclosed. Probably, this will happen during the upcoming MAKS-2019 salon.
Export history
The Su-57E project puts an end to the protracted history of the creation of an export version of the Russian PAK-FA / T-50 aircraft. This is the second attempt to adapt the original project to the requirements of overseas sales, and this time there are significant successes. The export plane is at least ready to be shown to potential buyers.
As a reminder, back in 2008, the Russian UAC and the Indian company Hindustan Aeronautics Limited agreed to jointly develop an export version of the T-50 called FGFA (Fifth-Generation Fighter Aircraft). It was assumed that the FGFA aircraft in the future will enter service with the Indian Air Force, and will also be sold to third countries. Subsequent joint work repeatedly encountered organizational and other problems. In the spring of 2018, the Indian side decided to withdraw from the project.
Apparently, India's refusal to cooperate did not have a fatal impact on the program as a whole. The Sukhoi company continued work, which resulted in an export version of the fighter in the form of the current Su-57E. Now Russia can offer this technique to foreign countries and make money on it - unlike India.
Access to the market
The technical features of the export version of the Su-57 have not yet been specified, which does not allow drawing some conclusions. At the same time, it is already possible to try to predict the consequences of the appearance of the Su-57E, as well as to predict its commercial potential and impact on the international combat aircraft market.
The premiere of the Su-57E will not go unnoticed. Fighter aircraft of the fifth generation invariably attract the attention of specialists and aviation enthusiasts, and the appearance of any new aircraft or modification becomes a real event. The export version of the Su-57 is unlikely to be an exception.
It is also necessary to note the fact that this is not just a new fighter, but a machine intended for sale to third countries. At the moment, there is only one fifth generation fighter on the international market - the American Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II. The appearance of the second aircraft of this class, available to order, can be considered the most important event on the aviation market.
The Chinese edition of Sohu commented on the emerging situation in an interesting way. It notes that the F-35 has effectively monopolized the international market for next-generation fighters. The emergence of the Su-57E will destroy such a monopoly. The Lightning will no longer be the only fighter of its kind available to third countries.
Queue for planes
Which countries will show real interest in the Su-57E and wish to buy such fighters is a big question. However, there are several characteristic factors that make it possible to represent the circle of potential customers. It is curious that these factors are associated with both the activities of the Russian aviation industry and the work of foreign competitors.
The Su-57E was created by the Sukhoi firm, which has a strong position in the combat aircraft market. Hundreds of Su-brand fighters and bombers are operated in dozens of foreign countries around the world. The good reputation of such equipment and its manufacturer, as well as the experience of its successful operation, can lead a potential buyer to a real order for the Su-57E. Thus, according to optimistic forecasts, sooner or later almost any country with a fleet of Su-27 or Su-30 aircraft can become the customer of the Su-57E.
In recent years, there have been numerous reports of interest in the Su-57 from various foreign countries. The possibility of signing contracts with the developing states of Southeast Asia, South America, etc. was mentioned. The issue of further cooperation with India remains unresolved. This country has dropped out of the FGFA program, but still retains interest in fifth generation fighters. Perhaps in the near future, the Indian Air Force will return to the idea of acquiring an export Su-57.
Competitors and assistants
So far, the only competitor for the Su-57E can be considered the American F-35. At the same time, the United States is taking some steps to simplify the sale of Russian equipment. The American side refuses to supply modern technology to a number of "unreliable" or hostile countries. By these actions, they are being pushed to purchase military equipment from other states. Russia can take advantage of this circumstance and offer its own aircraft or other equipment. Perhaps such events will contribute to the overall portfolio of orders for the Su-57E.
The already mentioned edition of Sohu gives an example of a possible implementation of such a scheme. Venezuela is at enmity with the United States and suffers the consequences of their activities. In the past, it purchased Su-30 fighters from Russia, and in the future, as the economic situation improves, it may purchase Su-57E. This technique will be a good tool to counter American aggression.
Competent use of contradictions between third countries for the promotion of their aircraft can give Russia certain benefits. It is worth noting that similar methods have already been used by our industry. In the past, it was the threat from some states that contributed to the growth in sales of Russian air defense systems.
On the eve of the premiere
Now the Russian aviation industry is preparing a full-scale serial production of Su-57 fighters for its own needs. In just a few days, UAC and Sukhoi will show the first aircraft of the Su-57E modification for foreign customers. Thus, the work on the PAK-FA program continues successfully and leads to new positive results.
The plans of the Russian Aerospace Forces regarding the Su-57 are already known and will be carried out within several years. The exact prospects for the export Su-57E are still unknown, but there is every reason for positive forecasts. For a number of reasons, such equipment will be of interest to foreign customers and should become the subject of new contracts.
On the whole, a very interesting situation is developing. Full tactical and technical characteristics and the entire list of capabilities of the Su-57E have not yet been published, which does not allow assessing the technical features of the project. At the same time, the available data on export plans allow making far-reaching and very realistic forecasts.
The first demonstration of the Su-57E fighter will take place next week, and then the basic technical information should be disclosed. The premiere of the aircraft will be the reason for various high-profile statements, including from potential buyers. Thus, even before the end of the upcoming MAKS-2019 air show, we will have very interesting news about the contracts of our industry and about the future of the fighter market.
