The Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) have inducted a new batch of Su-57 fighters featuring a “new technical profile.”
Delivered by the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), part of the state-owned Rostec conglomerate, the new, upgraded version of Russia’s fifth-generation fighter incorporates enhanced onboard systems and a new weapons configuration that significantly expands the jet’s combat role.
“To fulfill the targets set by the Russian Defense Ministry for the supply of highly sought-after weapons and military equipment to the troops, crews of the Russian Aerospace Forces have accepted the Su-57 aircraft in their new technical configuration,” the Rostec press service quoted a Su-57 pilot as saying.
Rostec did not specify which particular weapons systems had been upgraded, but stressed that they would enhance the aircraft’s combat profile.
“The aircraft has already proven itself during the special military operation (Ukraine War). The new technical configuration will provide for the expansion of the range of missions for which this aircraft type is deployed. The advanced capabilities incorporated into the aircraft armament system make it possible to use new types of aircraft weapons,” the pilot added.
Rostec’s post also underscored that the aircraft is regularly deployed to the battlefield in Ukraine.
The latest announcement comes nearly two months after the UAC confirmed it had tested the Su-57 with a new Izdliye 177 engine, a powerplant developed by the United Engine Corporation (UEC) specifically for the Su-57.
The new Izdliye 177 engine was tested with Su-57 in December 2025. According to a Rostec official, each Izdliye 177 engine can deliver up to 16,000 kg of thrust (approximately 35,000 pounds) with the afterburner engaged.
The new engine will further reduce the fuel consumption and is stated to be far more durable than the previous power plant, the Saturn AL-41F1 afterburning turbofan engine.
However, according to images released by UAC, the new batch of Su-57s delivered to the VKS is still equipped with the older Saturn AL-41F1 engines.
With the addition of the latest batch, the VKS now operates nearly 32 Su-57 fighter jets.
Meanwhile, Algeria, Su-57’s first export customer, has reportedly inducted its first batch of Su-57 jets.
Earlier this week, videos reportedly showed a Su-57 jet flying near Oum El Bouaghi Air Base, located near the town of Ain Beida in Algeria.
While there is no official confirmation, documents released after a cyberattack by the hacker collective Black Mirror on Rostec Corporation in October 2025 indicate that Algeria has ordered 12 Su-57 aircraft.
The delivery of the aircraft to Algeria despite Western sanctions and the ongoing war in Ukraine, as well as the induction of new, upgraded, and more lethal versions of the Su-57, will certainly boost the chances of the Su-57’s sale to India, which is considering adding two to three squadrons of the fighter aircraft.
In fact, the fighter jet has been steadily upgraded since its induction into VKS in 2020. Soon, VKS could also induct Su-57s equipped with the new Izdliye 177 engine.
Vadim Badekha, CEO of UAC, said the platform continues to evolve.
“The fifth-generation Su-57 aircraft system is the best aircraft in its class, but we’re not resting on our laurels. The fighter has undergone a tremendous evolution and its improvement continues today – the aircraft’s weapons and systems capabilities are being upgraded,” Badekha said.
“This fighter allows us to solve the most important tasks today, demonstrating efficiency and excellent maneuverability and combat capabilities,” he added.
While Rostec has given no details of the upgraded onboard systems or the new weapons package, videos and images circulating on social media suggest certain crucial changes to the aircraft’s profile that will make the fighter jet much more lethal.
The New Deadlier Su-57
Analysis of higher-resolution images released by UAC and examined by OSINT analyst George N. reveals visible changes to the 101KS electro-optical complex, which supports self-protection and missile warning functions.
The 101KS complex is an electro-optical targeting system that provides the Su-57 with all-weather surveillance and passive infrared detection.
The 101KS complements the radar by detecting and tracking targets in the infrared and visible spectra. It can detect heat signatures of missiles and aircraft and conduct passive situational monitoring.
This allows the fighter to operate without active emissions, enhancing survivability in highly contested environments.
However, the modifications visible on the new aircraft suggest a significant evolution compared to the system’s initial configurations.
In particular, the apparent incorporation of additional optics and revised apertures—presumably operating across multiple spectral bands, including visible, mid- and long-wave infrared (IIR), and possibly ultraviolet (UV)—points to a substantial expansion of passive observation capabilities.
According to Aviacionline, unlike the simpler earlier version, primarily focused on detecting incoming missiles, this new configuration appears aimed at generating a continuous multispectral image of the aircraft’s surroundings, with coverage approaching 360 degrees.
The imagery suggests that the 101KS would no longer function solely as a defensive sensor, but rather as a key element of situational awareness, aligned with the philosophy of the AN/AAQ-37 Distributed Aperture System (DAS) carried by the F-35.
If confirmed, this would mean the Su-57 is moving toward a distributed, passive surveillance capability that can detect and track airborne threats without relying solely on radar.
This capability would enhance Su-57’s survivability and its ability to fight under conditions of electronic silence.
The F-35’s AN/AAQ-37 Electro-Optical Distributed Aperture System (DAS) consists of six infrared sensors distributed around the aircraft, providing 360-degree (spherical) situational awareness and long-range detection.
DAS enhances the F-35’s survivability and operational effectiveness by warning the pilot of incoming aircraft and missile threats, providing day/night vision, and supporting the navigation function of the F-35 Lightning II’s forward-looking infrared sensor.
However, there is no official confirmation yet of the Su-57’s DAS-like capability.
According to former Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter pilot and defense analyst Vijainder K Thakur, the fresh batch of Su-57s delivered may be capable of carrying the newly developed air-launched stealthy combat UAV designated S-71, a weapon first unveiled during Army 2024.
The S-71 is an air-launched UAV that can be tasked with target identification, marking, or destruction.
Deploying and controlling the S-71 from the Su-57 would require upgrading the onboard systems.
Last month, it was reported that an S-71K “Carpet” for the first time demonstrated its effectiveness by successfully destroying the highly mobile M142 HIMARS multiple launch rocket system.
Again, if the speculation is correct, then this would mean a significant capability boost for the Su-57.
The delivery of this new batch fits within the progressive maturation of the Su-57 program, also known as the Megapolis development program.
Under it, the Su-57 would receive incremental upgrades to its avionics, cockpit, engine, sensors, and weaponry.
Russian engineers claim that Su-57 is a future-oriented project that will evolve as Moscow’s principal air combat system well beyond 2040.
