Final Batch of Su-57 Aircraft for 2023 Delivered to Russian Aerospace Forces

The final batch of the 5th generation Su-57 fighters for 2023 was transferred from the Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aviation Plant (KnAAZ) of the UAC to the combat units of the Russian Aerospace Forces as part of the implementation of the annual state defense order.

While the number of aircraft delivered has not been revealed, it is known that UAC has announced three times this year regarding the transfer of “a batch” of Su-57 jets. Various estimates put the number of aircraft in each batch at 8 or 12. So the number of Su-57 delivered this year could be 24- 36.

The aircraft are equipped with AL-41F1 turbofan engines ("Product 117") with a thrust of 15,000 kgf.

However, these engines also provide the stealthy Su-57 fighter with the ability to fly at a supersonic cruising speed of about 1.5 - 1.7 Mach.

It may be noted that the aircraft still do not have the 2nd stage or “Product 30” bypass turbojet engines with the characteristic serrated edges of the nozzle flaps and a thrust of 18,000 kgf.

UAC had displayed a flying prototype of a Su-57 equipped with the 2nd stage or “Product 30” engine at the Army 2023 show. UAC officials had then said that the jet will transition to the new engine once sufficient numbers of the new engine are built.

“Increasing the production of these unique machines was made possible by resolving issues regarding the rhythmic supply of components and improving the technology of in-line assembly. I believe that the KnAAZ team is adequately coping with this difficult task,” said Denis Manturov, Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation - Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation.

In 2023, a new Su-57 assembly line was set up in the face of growing volumes of serial production of aircraft. Measures were also taken to eliminate bottlenecks not only in the final assembly shop, but throughout the entire production cycle. Issues regarding the supply of high-tech components from supplier factories are being successfully resolved, and opportunities for improving aircraft assembly technology are being worked out.

“The KnAAZ plant UAC is increasing serial production of the Su-57. Work is already underway on combat vehicles that will be transferred to the Russian Aerospace Forces in 2024. The number of fifth-generation fighters entering the military almost doubles every year,” said Sergei Chemezov, Chairman of the Board of Directors of PJSC UAC, General Director of the Rostec State Corporation.