The news was delivered by the general director of the state-owned company RosOboronEksport Alexander Mikheev. – Our partners want to buy reliable and proven Russian weapons, he said, quoted by Russian agencies. He added that the first contracts have already been signed.
However, Mekheev did not say who the secret partner was Russia. At the turn of 2019 and 2020, Russian media reported that Su-57 aircraft would be purchased by Algeria. Ultimately, the order was not placed. Now the African country is cooperating with Moscow, but is delivering slightly less technologically advanced Su-30s.
Su-57s were also offered Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. Russia tried to create a modernized version of the Z machine Indiabut the country eventually withdrew from cooperation and launched its own new aircraft program.
Su-57 for sale. Two potential buyers
The Ukrainian television service Espreso TV lists among potential buyers Iran i North Korea. Tehran would consider purchasing it due to the possibility of expanding the use of the capabilities of the Sukhoi family of fighters. The country has already ordered the Su-35.
Meanwhile, in the case of Pyongyang, it is worth noting that in September last year Kim Jong Un visited the Russian Su-57 factory. In addition North Korean pilots are already training in Russia as part of the military cooperation of both countries.
The export variant of the Russian plane is called Su-57E. It is a fifth-generation multi-role fighter with stealth technology. It was designed to operate in both long-range and close-quarters combat scenarios. The plane is also capable of attacking sea and land targets. The first flight of the machine took place in 2010, and the Russian military received the first copy in 2020.
Sources: Espreso TV, Defence Blog