Russia released footage of its Su‑57 fighter, with the forward internal weapons bay carrying two KH‑58 anti-radiation missiles, ahead of the Dubai Airshow 2025, in an attempt to renew interest in the fifth-generation stealth fighter.
The video was released by United Aircraft Corporation, a subsidiary of the Rostec state defense conglomerate.
The internal weapons bay, a hallmark of fifth-generation fighter design, stores missiles and precision munitions inside the fuselage to minimize radar detection.
Rostec noted the jet is entering wider service and undergoing staged modernization. The company said it will receive “updated systems of armament and engines,” though no timelines were provided for these changes.
The Su‑57 is reported to feature stealth technology to evade radar, high-speed supercruise allowing sustained supersonic flight without afterburners, and advanced sensor fusion for enhanced battlefield awareness. Its thrust-vectoring engines also provide supermaneuverability, giving it an edge in close-range air combat.
The fighter jet officially entered operational service with the Russian Aerospace Forces in December 2020, although production and deployment have continued gradually, with newer aircraft receiving upgraded systems over time.
According to documents published online on October 3 by the hacker collective Black Mirror, Rostec’s internal files detail potential exports of the Su‑57 to Iran, Algeria, and Ethiopia.
While the authenticity of the leak has not been independently verified, analysts say the content aligns closely with previous reports about Moscow’s export negotiations.
