Russia is aggressively promoting the Su-57E, the export variant of the fifth-generation Su-57 stealth aircraft. However, the alleged lack of interest in this aircraft, even by operators of other Russian fighters like Malaysia and India, paints a grim picture.
Russian state arms exporter Rosoboronexport announced on May 19 that it will demonstrate the Su-57E fifth-generation fighter jet (the export variant of the Su-57) at the LIMA 2025 international maritime and aerospace exhibition in Malaysia. However, a new report suggests that the aircraft never made it to the exhibition.
Social media images of Russian equipment at LIMA 2025 feature only the scaled model of the aircraft at the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) stand. The Su-57E, which was slated to debut in Malaysia after China and India, was nowhere to be seen.
Russia’s state arms exporter Rosoboronexport announced on May 19 that it will demonstrate the Su-57E fifth-generation fighter jet at the LIMA 2025 international maritime and aerospace exhibition in Malaysia.
Meanwhile, Russian state media TASS, citing the press office of Russia’s Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation, reported that the first foreign buyer of the Russian-made Su-57E fifth-generation fighter jet’s export modification will start its operation in 2025.
“The first foreign customer of the Su-57E will start operating the aircraft in 2025,” the defense agency said. It did not name any country, but could be hinting towards Algeria.
Earlier, Algerian state media suggested that Algeria had become the aircraft’s first export customer. However, neither Russia nor the Algerian government acknowledged any such deal.
MRCA Contract
In recent times, the Su-57E has been linked to the Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) program, which remains in limbo years after it was initiated. Despite operating a highly tailored variant of the Russian Su-30, this country seems uninterested in acquiring the Russian Su-57E.
And no, we are not talking about India.
Malaysia launched the MRCA (Multi-Role Combat Aircraft) program to acquire advanced fighter jets that could replace its aging fleet and help enhance Malaysia’s air power with a modern, multi-role fighter jet.
While Moscow has not expressly stated if it plans to officially pitch the Su-57E to Kuala Lumpur, the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) had earlier examined the Russian stealth fighter up close at the Chinese and Indian Air Shows. Moreover, previous reports in the local Malaysian media indicated that the RMAF was exploring the possibility of acquiring the Su-57 as part of the MRCA program.
It is pertinent to note that Malaysia wasn’t always interested in the Su-57, perhaps due to its problematic track record and the many delays associated with its development, testing, and production.
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The MRCA program began around 2009 to replace the RMAF’s MiG-29s, which were nearing the end of their service life due to high maintenance costs and limited operational hours. Initial contenders included the Eurofighter Typhoon, Dassault Rafale, Saab Gripen, and Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.
However, last year, the program evolved to focus on fifth-generation or near-fifth-generation aircraft. Two new aircraft—the Russian Su-57 and the South Korean KF-21 were added to the list of aircraft in the reckoning. In March this year, some unverified reports suggested Malaysia was inching closer to purchasing 18 fifth-generation combat jets.
However, the MRCA program continues to be in abeyance as Malaysia’s defense strategy emphasizes balancing cost, capability, and geopolitical alignment—something it has been unable to achieve.
Su-57’s planned appearance was widely interpreted as a bold signal–perhaps even a soft launch–that a deal was imminent. But with the Felons failing to turn up, that narrative has started to unravel.
The alleged absence of Su-57 from LIMA could be a bummer for both sides. The RMAF needs to urgently replace the F/A-18 Hornets that are fast approaching the end of their service life. While there was earlier some buzz about purchasing second-hand Kuwaiti Hornets, it now appears to be stalled. In addition to the Hornets, the Su-30MKM and Hawks are also ageing rapidly, necessitating an upgrade.
As far as Russia is concerned, the Su-57’s export potential has significantly diminished in the last three years owing to factors such as delivery delays and limited production capacity, making it difficult to inspire confidence among prospective customers.
Russia Pitches Su-57 To India
Russia has been pitching the Su-57 to India, even though New Delhi walked out of the Indo-Russian Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) program in 2018 due to the costs and performance of the jointly developed aircraft.
It renewed its pitch for the sale of its fifth-generation Su-57E stealth aircraft to India in February 2025, ahead of the Aero India 2025 exhibition. The aircraft also debuted at the air show and piqued visitors’ interest with its stunning aerobatic display.
Russia’s state arms exporter, Rosoboronexport, offered a “golden deal” to the Indian Air Force (IAF). Alexander Mikheev, Director General of Rosoboronexport, proposed “the all-round development of cooperation on the Su-57E project. Among our proposals is the supply of ready-made aircraft, the organization of their joint production in India, as well as assistance in the development of an Indian fifth-generation fighter.”
Later, in March, Rosoboronexport said that if India finalizes the deal, the Indian companies that manufacture Russian Su-30MKI fighter jets can soon begin producing the fifth-generation Su-57E fighter.
“In case of a positive decision by the Indian side, the production of the Russian fifth-generation Su-57E fighter jet can be started at the factories currently producing the Su-30MKI fighter within a short time.”
Russia is offering India three things: local production of Su-57E, modernization of Su-30MKI, and assistance with India’s own fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program.
Recently, the Russian media have taken a more insidious route to promote the Su-57 as a suitable aircraft for India.
After India launched air strikes deep inside Pakistan as part of Operation Sindoor earlier this month, Pakistan claimed its Chinese-origin J-10CE fighter armed with a long-range PL-15E missile shot down three Indian Rafale fighters, besides two other IAF jets.
Interestingly, the pro-Russian media started amplifying these reports even though they remain unsubstantiated nearly two weeks after a ceasefire came into effect.
Russian military experts and media have positioned the Su-57E as a superior aircraft to the Indian Rafale, in a bid to push its export.
Sputnik News, for instance, cited Military analyst Igor Korotchenko as saying: “India’s NEXT MOVE: MADE IN INDIA SU-57? Urgency: Pakistan’s Chinese J-10Cs forced India’s hand. Russia’s offer: Two-seat Su-57MKI with R-37M missiles (400km range—longest in the world). ‘Make in India’ production at HAL factories. Game-changer: Would dominate PLAAF & PAF for decades.
Some Russian social media bloggers have even suggested that India would be better off purchasing Russian Su-57 fighters as the IAF Rafales are no match for the Chinese J-10C. You can read a detailed report by the EurAsian Times on this here.
Nevertheless, it is safe to say that these narratives have had no impact on India, and the Russian Su-57 has a long road ahead.
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