Russia displays Su-57E next-generation stealth fighter for the first time at Dubai Airshow 2025
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Russia displays the Su-57E export variant of the fighter jet at the Dubai Airshow 2025, marking the stealth fighter’s first public appearance in the Middle East and signaling Moscow’s bid to become a key competitor in the global stealth fighter market.
Russian defense officials confirm that the Su-57E is making its first Middle Eastern debut at the Dubai Airshow this year, featuring both a static display and a flight demonstration. The appearance gives Moscow a prominent venue to court Gulf defense buyers who have traditionally sourced advanced combat aircraft from the United States or Europe. Analysts note that Russia aims to frame the Su-57E as a cost-conscious fifth-generation option, although long-term production capacity and sustainment support remain key questions for regional operators.Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
The Russian Su-57E fifth-generation stealth fighter taxiing on the runway at Dubai World Central during its debut arrival at Dubai Airshow 2025, marking the platform’s first public appearance in the Middle East. (Picture source: Rosoboronexport video footage)
Touching down at Dubai Airport in full export configuration, the Russian Su-57E stealth fighter jet has been featured both on static display and in daily flight demonstrations. Russian test pilot Sergei Bogdan executed aggressive maneuvers, showcasing the jet’s hallmark supermaneuverability, including high-angle-of-attack turns, low-speed yaw rolls, and sustained post-stall flight. These capabilities are enabled by the aircraft’s 3D thrust-vectoring nozzles. The dynamic displays are not only meant to impress but to highlight the Su-57E’s pitch as an agile, survivable fighter in both air-to-air and strike roles.
Russian officials from the Russian State Defense Company Rosoboronexport and Sukhoi emphasized the Su-57E’s multirole capabilities and stealth features during media briefings. The aircraft features a blended wing-body layout, internal weapons bays, radar-absorbing coatings, and a serpentine inlet duct design to reduce radar cross-section. It is equipped with the N036 Byelka active electronically scanned array radar and advanced infrared search-and-track systems. One of the Su-57E’s key selling points is its versatility. The aircraft is capable of executing both air superiority and precision strike missions while maintaining reduced observability.
The Su-57E competes with the American F-35 Lightning II, Chinese J-20, and South Korean KF-21 Boramae. Compared to the F-35A, the Su-57E offers better kinematic performance—particularly speed, range, and supermaneuverability. It achieves Mach 2+ and is designed for close dogfighting, while the F-35 prioritizes stealth and sensor fusion. However, the F-35 leads in networked warfare, low-probability-of-intercept communication, and software maturity, where the Russian platform still lags.
Unlike the F-22 Raptor, exclusive to the U.S. Air Force, the Su-57E is marketed to foreign customers. China’s J-20, fielded in rising numbers, remains unproven in export markets and lacks the thrust-vectoring controls that give the Su-57E its aerodynamic edge. South Korea’s KF-21, still in development, offers less stealth but a more cost-effective option focused on regional deterrence over global reach.
Russia seeks to offer advanced combat capability without the political strings often tied to U.S. platforms. For buyers in the Gulf, Africa, and Southeast Asia, the Su-57E offers a chance to acquire fifth-generation capability from a non-Western source, with Russian officials emphasizing its full sovereign use rights, customizable avionics suite, and lack of weapons integration limitations—factors that continue to frustrate some F-35 customers bound by U.S. export controls.
Still, questions remain about the Su-57E’s long-term sustainment, reliability in hot-climate operations, and production scalability. In Dubai, the aircraft is undergoing evaluation not only by prospective customers but also by Western observers closely tracking its performance under real-world desert conditions. Russian officials acknowledged in closed-door sessions that, while the aircraft currently operates with AL-41F1 engines (a current-generation turbofan), future production blocks are expected to transition to the more powerful and efficient Izdeliye 30 engines (a new advanced design), which are currently in late-stage testing.
This year’s appearance is significant not only for the jet itself but also for the geopolitical context. As defense ties shift and sanctions reshape supply chains, the Su-57E signals Russia’s intent to remain in the premium fighter market. In contrast to the F-35, which demands deep integration into the U.S. logistics and digital system, the Su-57E provides a standalone solution, potentially appealing to nations seeking operational independence.
The Russian Su-57E’s presence in Dubai is more than symbolic. It tests the aircraft’s export credibility. For Russia, this is a strategic effort to challenge Western airpower in a region reshaping military balance.Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition GroupAlain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.
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Russia displays the Su-57E export variant of the fighter jet at the Dubai Airshow 2025, marking the stealth fighter’s first public appearance in the Middle East and signaling Moscow’s bid to become a key competitor in the global stealth fighter market.
Russian defense officials confirm that the Su-57E is making its first Middle Eastern debut at the Dubai Airshow this year, featuring both a static display and a flight demonstration. The appearance gives Moscow a prominent venue to court Gulf defense buyers who have traditionally sourced advanced combat aircraft from the United States or Europe. Analysts note that Russia aims to frame the Su-57E as a cost-conscious fifth-generation option, although long-term production capacity and sustainment support remain key questions for regional operators.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
The Russian Su-57E fifth-generation stealth fighter taxiing on the runway at Dubai World Central during its debut arrival at Dubai Airshow 2025, marking the platform’s first public appearance in the Middle East. (Picture source: Rosoboronexport video footage)
Touching down at Dubai Airport in full export configuration, the Russian Su-57E stealth fighter jet has been featured both on static display and in daily flight demonstrations. Russian test pilot Sergei Bogdan executed aggressive maneuvers, showcasing the jet’s hallmark supermaneuverability, including high-angle-of-attack turns, low-speed yaw rolls, and sustained post-stall flight. These capabilities are enabled by the aircraft’s 3D thrust-vectoring nozzles. The dynamic displays are not only meant to impress but to highlight the Su-57E’s pitch as an agile, survivable fighter in both air-to-air and strike roles.
Russian officials from the Russian State Defense Company Rosoboronexport and Sukhoi emphasized the Su-57E’s multirole capabilities and stealth features during media briefings. The aircraft features a blended wing-body layout, internal weapons bays, radar-absorbing coatings, and a serpentine inlet duct design to reduce radar cross-section. It is equipped with the N036 Byelka active electronically scanned array radar and advanced infrared search-and-track systems. One of the Su-57E’s key selling points is its versatility. The aircraft is capable of executing both air superiority and precision strike missions while maintaining reduced observability.
The Su-57E competes with the American F-35 Lightning II, Chinese J-20, and South Korean KF-21 Boramae. Compared to the F-35A, the Su-57E offers better kinematic performance—particularly speed, range, and supermaneuverability. It achieves Mach 2+ and is designed for close dogfighting, while the F-35 prioritizes stealth and sensor fusion. However, the F-35 leads in networked warfare, low-probability-of-intercept communication, and software maturity, where the Russian platform still lags.
Unlike the F-22 Raptor, exclusive to the U.S. Air Force, the Su-57E is marketed to foreign customers. China’s J-20, fielded in rising numbers, remains unproven in export markets and lacks the thrust-vectoring controls that give the Su-57E its aerodynamic edge. South Korea’s KF-21, still in development, offers less stealth but a more cost-effective option focused on regional deterrence over global reach.
Russia seeks to offer advanced combat capability without the political strings often tied to U.S. platforms. For buyers in the Gulf, Africa, and Southeast Asia, the Su-57E offers a chance to acquire fifth-generation capability from a non-Western source, with Russian officials emphasizing its full sovereign use rights, customizable avionics suite, and lack of weapons integration limitations—factors that continue to frustrate some F-35 customers bound by U.S. export controls.
Still, questions remain about the Su-57E’s long-term sustainment, reliability in hot-climate operations, and production scalability. In Dubai, the aircraft is undergoing evaluation not only by prospective customers but also by Western observers closely tracking its performance under real-world desert conditions. Russian officials acknowledged in closed-door sessions that, while the aircraft currently operates with AL-41F1 engines (a current-generation turbofan), future production blocks are expected to transition to the more powerful and efficient Izdeliye 30 engines (a new advanced design), which are currently in late-stage testing.
This year’s appearance is significant not only for the jet itself but also for the geopolitical context. As defense ties shift and sanctions reshape supply chains, the Su-57E signals Russia’s intent to remain in the premium fighter market. In contrast to the F-35, which demands deep integration into the U.S. logistics and digital system, the Su-57E provides a standalone solution, potentially appealing to nations seeking operational independence.
The Russian Su-57E’s presence in Dubai is more than symbolic. It tests the aircraft’s export credibility. For Russia, this is a strategic effort to challenge Western airpower in a region reshaping military balance.
Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.
