Russia bets on exporting the Su-57 fighter to North African countries.

Western sanctions have cooled the desire of many countries around the world to cooperate with the Russian Federation in the military-technical field, for fear of being struck by a "ricochet". Despite this, the Russian defense industry is attempting to compete for foreign orders.
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SU-57 in flight during demo flight  (Picture source: wikimedia)

An example of this is the Rosoboronexport stand at the international aerospace show in Egypt, which took place from September 3 to 5. Among the various systems presented at the exhibition, it is worth noting the presentation of the export version of the fifth-generation Su-57 fighter.

The Sukhoi Su-57, designed and manufactured by Russia, is a fifth-generation stealth fighter intended to replace older models such as the Su-27. It was developed to directly compete with Western fifth-generation fighters such as the F-22 Raptor and the F-35 Lightning II. The Su-57 is equipped with advanced stealth technologies, including radar-absorbing materials, a design intended to minimize radar signature, and supercruise capability, allowing it to fly at supersonic speeds without afterburners.

Technically, the Su-57 is equipped with two AL-41F1 engines that can propel it to speeds of Mach 2, with a combat range of over 2,000 kilometers. It is armed with a wide array of weapons, including air-to-air, air-to-surface missiles, and guided bombs. Its advanced avionics include an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar capable of detecting, tracking, and engaging multiple targets simultaneously. The cockpit also features a sophisticated electronic warfare suite, further enhancing its survivability in hostile environments.

The ambitions surrounding the Su-57 are significant, as it is not only envisioned to enhance Russia's air superiority but also to boost its arms exports to other nations. Russia hopes that the Su-57 will be a key player in the international combat aircraft market, offering a viable alternative to American and European fighters. Additionally, the integration of the Su-57 into the Russian Air Force is seen as a crucial step toward modernizing its armed forces.

As mentioned, although many details have not been disclosed, it has been learned since last year that UAC was specifically working on developing an export modification of the Su-57, which has been designated the Su-57E. As for the African continent, Algeria and Egypt are countries with which the Russian government has historically had [friendly] relations and has room to maneuver to acquire such products.

At the Egyptian air show, the Su-57E was presented alongside the X-69 air-to-ground cruise missile. The X-69 is a new generation Russian cruise missile designed for long-range precision operations. With an effective range of up to 400 kilometers from the launch point, the X-69 can strike strategic targets with high precision thanks to its advanced navigation system, combining satellite guidance and infrared sensors for low-altitude flight.

Its main competitor within NATO is the AGM-158 JASSM (Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile) manufactured by the United States. The JASSM has a similar range, although slightly less, of about 1,000 kilometers for its standard version and up to 2,400 kilometers for the extended version (JASSM-ER). Like the X-69, the JASSM is designed to evade anti-air defenses with its stealth flying capabilities and low flight profile, making it difficult to detect by enemy radars.

Additionally, the Pantsir-S1M air defense system, the Tor-M2E air defense system, and the Verba MANPADS were presented. Drones from the Orlan family (Orlan-10E and Orlan-30) were also spotted.