Su-57 State Tests To Conclude This Year

State tests of Russia’s Su-57 fifth-generation stealth jet will be concluded by the end of 2019, said Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Aerospace Forces Lt. Gen. Sergei Dronov on Monday.

“State tests of MiG-35 are planned to be completed in late 2021, while those of Su-57 are due to be finalized as soon as this year,” Dronov said during an interview with the Armed Forces' Krasnaya Zvezda newspaper.

Dronov also noted that MiG-35 was more cost-effective than Su-30CM and Su-35S, which have been already in service with the Armed Forces, with the cost of its flight hour being about one and a half times lower than that of these fighters.

“Three aviation regiments will be re-equipped with Su-57s by 2028,” Russian President Vladimir Putin had said in May.

Serial production of the Russian stealth fighters was kick started last month. Russian MoD has placed an order for 76 Su-57s.