The Russian Aerospace Force (VKS) may have received a fresh batch of fifth-generation Su-57 stealth aircraft amid persisting doubts over its production rate.
A set of photos showing two newly built Su-57 Felon stealth fighters marked “25” Red (RF-81796) and “26” Red (RF-81797) were published on social media on April 10. The photos accompanied claims that the first batch of the aircraft for the year 2025 had been delivered to the VKS.
The aircraft were allegedly spotted during a transfer flight to an unidentified Russian airbase. The delivery was not announced by the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) or the Russian Aerospace Forces, but the visible fresh markings indicate that the aircraft have been newly constructed. Additionally, observers pointed out that these tail numbers have never been seen publicly, indicating that they recently rolled out of production.
The Su-57, designed to compete with NATO’s fifth-generation fighters, such as the US F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II, boasts cutting-edge stealth technology, supermaneuverability, and advanced avionics. The VKS received three batches of aircraft over the last year, with the last delivery recorded in December 2024.
The Su-57 is produced at the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aviation Plant in the Russian Far East.
The latest photos and reported delivery come two months after Yuri Kondratyev, Director of the Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Production Association (KnAAPO), said in February 2025 that a new version of the aircraft will be delivered to the VKS in 2025.
He did not specify any particular improvements, although there is speculation that the new version might feature the more advanced AL-51F1 or product 30 engines, which could improve the fighter’s performance, as previously explained by the EurAsian Times.
Earlier this year, UAC chief Vadim Badekha said that as production expands, the aircraft will be integrated with newer features.
“Su-57 platform has been created for a minimum of 40-50 years. It has an open architecture and can use a broad range of technologies with minimal changes to the basic solutions. Su-57 integration with unmanned aerial vehicles will be the central element of future combat systems. In the coming years, new features will be introduced into serial Su-57 in the framework of the modernization program,” he said.
However, the EurAsian Times cannot confirm whether a new delivery has been made and if the delivered aircraft features new upgrades.
Russia Is Boosting Su-57 Production
Despite being in development for nearly two decades, Russia has struggled to scale up the production of its Su-57 aircraft. This trouble was exacerbated when heavy sanctions were imposed on Russian defense units, including Rostec, UAC, and the Komsomolsk-on-Amur plant, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Currently, Russia possesses only a small number of Su-57s. In June 2019, a contract for 76 aircraft by 2027 was signed, with the Komsomolsk-on-Amur plant designated as the primary production site. However, the plant quickly proved to be too small and ill-equipped to meet the production demands, resulting in constant delays.
Military observers and critics of Russia have gone so far as to say that while the aircraft was developed as an answer to American fifth-generation fighters, the awfully small number of aircraft means that Russia cannot pose a significant challenge to the United States, even though the aircraft boasts some very cutting-edge capabilities.
In recent times, the UAC has dedicated efforts to ramping up aircraft production, with an eye on bolstering Russia’s airpower and making the aircraft look appealing to potential buyers.
For instance, the corporation announced in August 2024 that it would add new facilities to Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aviation Plant (KnAAZ) to scale aircraft production.
More recently, UAC CEO Vadim Badekha told TASS: ”The UAC will continue expanding the capacity for batch production of Su-57 this year. Last year, the deliveries considerably increased. The fighter jet has immensely evolved and continues to improve. Its arms and systems are increased. The expansion of production capacities will increase the deliveries of the jet to the troops and offer the Su-57 export option to foreign customers. Together with Rosoboronexport, we shall pay specific attention to the guidelines.”
If confirmed, the latest delivery would validate the above assurances regarding the recent expansion of production of the Su-57 aircraft.
Moreover, the expansion in production is a strategic imperative for Russia at this point, as the country is rebuilding its air force after losing many fighter jets in the war with Ukraine.
While the VKS deployed the Su-57 against Ukraine only for combat patrols and launching stand-off attacks, the Ukrainian forces claimed to have destroyed one of these fighter jets in a drone strike on an airbase in the Astrakhan region in June 2024.
In addition to boosting its air power, Moscow needs to expand production to inspire confidence among potential aircraft buyers. Moscow is struggling to sell its most advanced fighter jet to friendly countries, and production woes have been named as one of the factors that continue to hinder the aircraft’s success in the export market.
Recently, an Algerian state broadcaster aired a report hinting that it had become the first customer of the Su-57 aircraft. However, neither side has officially confirmed the purchase.
Russia is also aggressively marketing the Su-57 to India. The aircraft made its debut at the Aero India 2025 air show in February 2025, along with a renewed offer that includes the supply of ready-made aircraft, the transfer of technology, joint production of the aircraft in India, and assistance in developing India’s fifth-generation fighter.
Additionally, Russia has sweetened its offer for the Su-57E to India by promising that the existing infrastructure for the production of the Su-30MKI could be used to launch the production of the Russian fifth-generation fighter jet.
Russia is also promoting the aircraft at air shows worldwide to attract potential buyers. It may target countries looking to modernize their air forces, albeit without the restrictions that come with Western-origin weapons.
Earlier this month, for instance, the aircraft was displayed at the LAAD 2025 arms show in Brazil, along with other weapons that have shown their combat prowess in Ukraine.
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