Assembly Line Being Prepared for Production of Russian Su-57 Stealth Jet

The Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aviation Plant (KnAAZ) of Russia’s Sukhoi Corp. has started setting up a final assembly shop to integrate the Su-57 stealth fighter jet.

The information was given out by the Russian MoD when Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu paid a working visit to KnAAZ today to inspect ongoing projects.

"The factory of the company, Sukhoi in Komsomolsk-on-Amur carried out modernization and technical re-equipment of production, which allows us to successfully and timely fulfill the (Su-57) state defense order," General Director of PJSC Sukhoi Company Ilya Tarasenko was quoted as saying in a MoD announcement.

 “As part of the state defense order, we plan to supply the Ministry of Defense with 76 Su-57 aircraft systems by 2028. Such workload allows us to ensure the dynamic development of the enterprise and assure jobs for our employees," he added

The Minister of Defense was shown the final assembly shop, where the preparation of the assembly line for the Su-57 jet is currently underway. A stage-by-stage implementation of a production line project for the assembly of Su-57 fighters is being carried out, the General Director said.

A contact to build 76 Su-57 aircraft by 2028 was signed at the MAKS 2019 event.

The Su-57 has completed its flight tests with the AL-41F-1S (article 117S) engine-derived from the Su-35 jet- while a superior engine, internally called the “second stage” engine is currently going through its test phases. It has not yet been revealed when this engine will be ready for assembly.

Current speculation is that, the new engine could enter production mid-way through the implementation of the order for 78 jets; which is beyond 2025 at the anticipated production rate of 12-13 aircraft per year.