It is known that in fact the Russian Su-57 fleet is still very small. In fact, the Russian Su-57 has become a prominent symbol of delay and struggle to get past Soviet-era designs in the country’s defense sector. The first full squadron is expected to be deployed only in 2024. However, currently only six airframes have been delivered so far.

It should be noted, however, that the Soviet Union began development of a fifth-generation fighter more than 40 years ago in the late 1970s. It is also expected to have a technology demonstrator flying before 1995 and an operational fighter from 2000-2005.

The result was the cancellation of the promising MiG 1.42 program and the privately funded, less sophisticated Su-47. Then, Russia worked on the new Su-57 which first flew in 2010 and is expected to enter service in 2015. However, Russia is reported to have built new production facilities for the Su-57.

Quoted from Bulgarian Military, inside the new production facility, the Russian Federation is building an avionics test facility, fuel dock and engine test station. According to unconfirmed information and according to Russian sources, the new production facility will have facilities for pilot training with virtual reality systems. There are three countries that are expected to be export clients of the Su-57.

Reporting from Military Watch Magazine, it was initially projected that the Indian Air Force would be the first overseas client for the Su-57. This is known as part of the FGFA program, which is a joint effort to develop a customized version with significant Indian technological input.

It will start deliveries sometime in 2017 with the last 144 units planned for Indian service joining the fleet sometime in 2023.

The second export client for the class is expected to be South Korea, which will acquire 20 fighters from 2018-2020 modified with Korean avionics. This also happened because the country had shown significant interest in Russian warplanes after the collapse of the Soviets. Especially the MiG-29 and Su-37 in the 1990s, which will complement the acquisition of Russian tanks, air defense systems, ballistic missile technology and others.

The third export client expected to procure 20 Su-57s from 2020 is Iran. As is well known, Iran has shown interest in high-performance Russian interceptors in the past and fielded fourth-generation MiG-29 and Su-24M jets purchased from the Soviet Union.

In addition, beyond this sale, Sukhoi also projects that a new fifth-generation fighter will be derived from the Su-57. Where the aircraft has a twin seat configuration it will start deliveries to the Indian Air Force in 2020. With 40 deliveries between then and 2022, while the Russian Air Force will acquire 20 for its own use from 2021-2023.