Russia's forgotten fighter visits China

Unexpectedly, and probably the last time, a Russian Sukhoi Su-57 arrives abroad. On 3 November 2024, a Sukhoi Su-57, NATO code name "Felon", arrived at Taiyuan Wusu International Airport (China).

The fourth prototype Su-57, 054 bl (c/n T50-4), was seen transiting Taiyuan Wusu, while en route to the Zhuhai/China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition 2024.

With probably only Algeria as a future export customer for the Su-57E, other export customers seem to be a difficult task to reach. Dubbed as a 5th Generation Fighter, the Su-57 has been plagued with no Western technology being available since 2014. The latter was a direct result following the annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014.

On 21 February 2018, two Su-57s performed their first international flight as they were spotted landing at the Russian Khmeimim Air Base in Syria. On 16 February 2021, Scramble Magazine first wrote about the stationing in Syria of the Su-57 and this was all about Russia's internal and external publicity consumption.

While it is expected that China will show several of its own modern fighter jets (J-10/J-20/J-35) at Zhuhai, the Su-57 showcase will be more based on good will. Scramble assesses that this will be one of the last charm offensives to revive the Su-57 project.

Credit photos: MartinYu (on X)