The Dubai Airshow 2025 emerged as one of the premier aerospace events of the year, providing a significant forum for exhibiting the most recent developments in military aviation. For the first time, the Middle East watched the presentation of Russia’s export variant of its fifth-generation multirole fighter, the Su-57E. Its deployment alongside American aircraft such as the F-22 and F-35 generated large public and professional interest, emphasizing the fierce competition influencing the international fighter aircraft market.
Aviation exhibitions and airshows have traditionally drawn large audiences keen to observe flight demonstrations of the world’s most sophisticated aircraft. For many years, the Dubai Airshow has constantly showcased the American company Lockheed Martin, highlighting its fifth-generation fighters—the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II—as exemplars of contemporary air combat technology. However, the 19th Dubai Airshow in 2025 represented an important milestone: for the first time, these aircraft encountered a direct rival in the form of Russia’s Su-57E, which was introduced specifically for the export market.
Origins and Export Trajectory of the Su-57
The Su-57 originates from Russia’s PAK FA (Prospective Airborne Complex of Tactical Aviation) program. The baseline variant was developed in the late 1990s as Russia’s strategic response to Western fifth-generation fighters such as the F-22 and F-35. Serial production for the Russian Aerospace Forces commenced in 2019, with the initial operational aircraft delivered in December 2020.
The Su-57E, with the letter “E” indicating “export,” is specifically designed for international clients. Although it preserves the core attributes of a fifth-generation fighter — including low observability, supermaneuverability, sophisticated avionics, and a versatile weapons capacity — it is also specifically designed to fulfill international export demands. The Su-57E exemplifies a harmonious combination of state-of-the-art performance and cost-effectiveness, rendering it an appealing choice for nations pursuing advanced aerial combat capabilities without the political and operational limitations commonly linked to Western aircraft.
It is essential to acknowledge that the export version may vary in certain aspects from aircraft operated by the Russian Aerospace Forces. These variations might include altered identification systems, calibrated onboard electronics, and the possible incorporation of foreign-produced equipment at the customer’s request. Such versatility markedly increases the attractiveness of the Su-57E in the international market.
Strategic Significance of Participating in the Dubai Airshow
The Dubai Airshow surpasses the scope of a conventional aviation exhibition. It is among the world’s largest defense and aerospace marketplaces, where governments, manufacturers, and military delegations gather to showcase technologies, negotiate agreements, and forge lasting partnerships. In the context of increasing competition among Western nations, Russia, and China, each significant exhibition bears not only technological importance but also geopolitical and commercial significance.
The presentation of the Su-57E in the United Arab Emirates represented its maiden significant public appearance in the Middle East. This action signifies Russia’s strategic objective to reinforce its role as a global provider of sophisticated combat aircraft, especially in areas historically dominated by Western platforms. It also indicates Moscow’s attempt to provide an alternative for customers seeking advanced capabilities without reliance on Western export restrictions or political considerations.
Flight Performance and Technical Specifications of the Su-57E
Although the Su-57E is derived from the standard Su-57 platform, the export variant includes features that render it particularly attractive to foreign air forces.
The aircraft is equipped with sophisticated turbofan engines featuring thrust-vectoring capabilities, delivering superior maneuverability across a broad spectrum of flight conditions. This enables the Su-57E to perform effectively in both high-speed interception missions and close-quarters dogfighting situations, where agility and energy conservation are critical elements.
A fundamental element of the aircraft is its sophisticated sensor array, which includes an AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar, typically linked to the Sh-121 “Byelka” system. This radar provides an extensive detection range, effective resistance to electronic countermeasures, and the capability to track multiple targets concurrently, thereby enhancing the pilot’s situational awareness.
High degrees of automation and sensor integration are key to the design of the Su-57E. Data from radar, infrared, and optical sensors is integrated into a comprehensive tactical overview, considerably decreasing pilot workload and facilitating more rapid decision-making. This capability is crucial for today’s network-centric warfare, where information superiority frequently influences the outcome of engagements.
The Su-57E is also capable of supercruise, sustaining steady supersonic flight at velocities approximately between Mach 1.4 and 1.6 without the use of afterburners. This attribute extends operational range, decreases fuel consumption, and enables the aircraft to attain combat zones more rapidly while maintaining energy advantages for missile engagements.
Stealth Features and Survivability
Low observability characterizes the Su-57E. The aircraft features an extensive array of radar signature reduction techniques, positioning it alongside leading international counterparts in the area of radar cross-section mitigation.
This encompasses meticulously optimized airframe design, internal weapon carriage, protection of antenna compartments, and specialized operational modes for onboard electronic systems. Furthermore, sophisticated radar-absorbing materials and compounds are integrated throughout the airframe.
Notably, the radar-absorbing materials employed on the Su-57E are engineered to ensure both high performance and straightforward maintenance. This enhances operational readiness and enables the aircraft to be used across a broader spectrum of climatic and environmental conditions in comparison to certain Western stealth platforms, which frequently depend on highly specialized maintenance infrastructure.
Weapons Integration and Multirole Functionality
One of the most significant advantages of the Su-57E resides in its versatility in armament options. The aircraft is capable of deploying a wide array of precision-guided munitions for air-to-air, air-to-ground, and air-to-surface operations. Internal weapons bays maintain secrecy during high-threat missions, whereas external hardpoints may be utilized when stealth is not a primary concern.
A notable characteristic of the Su-57E is the adaptable configuration of its internal compartments. Depending on mission requirements, the aircraft is capable of carrying different configurations of long-range air-to-air missiles, precision strike armament, or internal fuel containers. This modular methodology enables operators to customize the aircraft’s combat functionalities to suit particular operational scenarios.
Remarkably, the Su-57E offers the capability to deploy a long-range cruise missile from its internal bays—a feature that remains exclusive within the international export fighter market. This capability substantially augments the aircraft’s offensive capabilities while maintaining its minimal observability.
Network-Centric Operations and Interoperability
In present aerial warfare, individual performance alone is no longer adequate. The Su-57E is engineered to function within an integrated networked force, facilitating the exchange of tactical data with other aircraft and command systems.
A significant advantage of the Su-57E is its capacity to operate within blended fleets, including collaboration with older-generation Russian aircraft via modified communication systems. This enables operators to optimize the efficacy of current air assets while integrating fifth-generation capabilities into their force structure.
Export Orders and Global Interest
The Su-57E has already advanced beyond the demonstration phase. In 2025, Algeria was confirmed as the first international client, executing a contract for the aircraft with deliveries anticipated to commence within the same year. Pilot training and technical support are being carried out in close collaboration with Russia, indicating a sustained partnership.
Alongside Algeria, Russia is actively engaging in negotiations with multiple other nations throughout Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Discussions encompass not only aircraft deliveries but also potential opportunities for local assembly, technology transfer, and industrial collaboration. Such arrangements substantially increase the appeal of the Su-57E in comparison to competitors that provide restricted industrial engagement.
Comparison with Western Fifth-Generation Fighters
Comparative analyses of fifth-generation fighters—including the American F-22 and F-35, China’s J-20 and J-35, and Russia’s Su-57E—continue to be a matter of ongoing debate. The Su-57E is characterized by its focus on overall versatility rather than dedicated specialization.
Although the F-35 was predominantly developed as a multirole strike aircraft and the F-22 as an air-superiority interceptor, the Su-57 was originally designed as a genuine multirole stealth fighter, capable of excelling in air combat, strike missions, and network-centric operations. Its integration of stealth, supercruise, maneuverability, and weapons adaptability exemplifies a unique design philosophy.
Conclusion: The Prospective Role of the Su-57E in the International Arena
The presentation of the Su-57E at the Dubai Airshow 2025 represented a notable milestone in Russia’s military aviation export strategy. It showcased both the technological advancement of Russia’s fifth-generation fighter program and Moscow’s strategic aim to compete directly with Western manufacturers in the premium fighter market.
With confirmed export orders, increasing international interest, and continuous modernization—including advanced avionics, upgraded engines, and increasingly sophisticated weaponry—the Su-57E is progressively establishing itself as a formidable contender on the global stage.
In this context, the Su-57E is no longer solely a national initiative or a demonstration of technological capability. It has evolved into a practicable and competitive export platform, providing nations with an alternative route to fifth-generation airpower in an increasingly complex and multipolar global landscape.