Russian Aerospace Forces Orders 12 Su-57 Stealth Fighters

The Russian Aerospace Forces have placed an order for a dozen of Su-57 fifth-generation jet fighters, Deputy Defense Minister Alexey Krivoruchko said Saturday.

"The first contract for 12 aircraft will be signed soon, and the deliveries under this contract will begin shortly," he told reporters at a briefing in Komsomolsk-on-Amur.

The southeastern Russian city is home to a plant of Russia's Sukhoi aircraft maker, which produces cutting-edge Su-57 stealth fighters, Sputnik reported.  According to various reports, the first new fifth-generation jet fighters will be ready in 2019 for delivery.  

The Su-57 made its maiden flight eight years ago. CEO of Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation Yuri Slyusar had said earlier that the first batch of Su-57s could come into service in 2019.

Development of this aircraft was commenced in 2001. A prototype of Su-57 (T-50) was revealed and made its maiden flight in 2010. In 2014, a pre-production prototype was delivered to the Russian Air Force for trials and evaluation.

Krivoruchko also revealed that a new corvette was going to join Russia's Pacific Fleet within a month. The Gromky is the second corvette of eight Project 20380 vessels that will be used for maritime patrols.