Russia Kick-starts Serial Production Of Su-57 Fighters

Russia's Sukhoi Aircraft Company has kick-started serial production of Su-57 fifth-generation stealth-capable fighters, orders for which was placed by the country during Army-2019 Forum in June, 2019.

"Sukhoi has started to fulfil its contractual obligations. The first plane will be delivered to the customer before the end of 2019," the office of Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov told TASS on Monday.

In May 2019, Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said that manufacturers slashed prices of Su-57 aircraft and equipment by 20%, which provided the opportunity to purchase more of these jets. The value of the contract reported in the media is $2.7 billion.

The fighter will come armed with hypersonic missiles. Its maiden flight took place on 29 January 2010. It was allegedly tested in combat conditions in Syria.

Information from Russian sources indicates that an advanced air-to-air missile is said to be on part of the Su-57 weapons suite, the R-77 (designated as izdeliye 180 or K-77M). The medium-range, active radar homing air-to-air missile is being developed by JSC Tactical Missiles Corporation. The fighter is also said to be equipped with air-launched anti-ship variant of Kalibr cruise missiles.