# Russia Su-57 export campaign and fleet expansion > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/russia-su57-export-campaign > Updated: 2026-09-13T05:58:26.000Z. Sources: 25. Developments: 7. Russia's state arms exporter Rostec began a global marketing drive in late July 2026 for the RVV‑SDM medium‑range air‑to‑air missile, presenting it as part of a complete weapons package for the export version of the Su‑57E fifth‑generation fighter. The initial announcement highlighted the missile’s active‑passive radar seeker, fire‑and‑forget capability and adaptability to other platforms. A few days later Rosoboronexport officials reported growing foreign interest and provided additional technical details, including engagement altitude, speed up to Mach 3 and resistance to electronic counter‑measures, while also promoting the short‑range RVV‑MD2 and long‑range RVV‑BD missiles as part of the same package. At the same time, a two‑seat Su‑57D prototype crashed shortly after take‑off from Kubinka airbase; the pilot ejected safely and officials cited a technical malfunction, highlighting ongoing development challenges for the Su‑57 program. By mid-August 2026, the Russian Air Force identified the Su-57 as a central component for achieving air superiority. Air Force Commander Sergey Kobylash noted the active fleet has grown to an estimated 50 to 60 units. The aircraft is utilized for high-stakes missions, including engaging cruise missiles and drones, performing air-to-air combat, and conducting precision strikes. Reports in late August indicated Su-57 aircraft were involved in strikes against port infrastructure in Odessa on August 23. Further developments in the Su-57 program include plans to integrate combat artificial intelligence. Mikhail Strelets, director of Sukhoi, stated that a two-seat version of the aircraft, the Su-57D, is being designed to serve as an aerial command post. This configuration would allow one pilot to focus on flight and combat while a second operator manages “intelligent complexes” or swarms of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). In September 2026, Russia expanded its Su-57E export campaign at the El Alamein International Airshow in Egypt. Rosoboronexport showcased the fighter alongside new S-71M ‘Monokhrom’ and S-71K ‘Kover’ weapon systems. ## Claims - Russian forces destroyed 201 drones over Moscow. (disputed) - Approximately 600 drones flew over the Moscow region. (disputed) - The two-seat Su-57 can be used as a drone control station. (single source) - A new version of the Su-57 will include the development of combat artificial intelligence. (single source) - The Su-57 is the central element for achieving Russian air superiority. (single source) - The Russian Su-57 fleet has expanded to approximately 50–60 aircraft. (single source) - Three people were injured during the drone offensive in Moscow. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-13: Russia showcases S-71 weapons and Su-57 fighter in Egypt Russia debuted the S-71 weapon systems and the Su-57 stealth fighter at an air show in Egypt, aiming to expand arms exports to Africa and the Middle East. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/russia-showcases-s-71-weapons-and-su-57-fighter-in-egypt ### 2026-09-08: Russia showcases Su-57E fighter and new missiles at Egypt airshow Russia is showcasing the Su-57E fighter and new S-71M and S-71K missiles at the El Alamein International Airshow in Egypt, amid reports of growing export contracts for 2026. 11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/russia-su-57-fighter-jet-arrives-in-egypt-for-el-alamein-airshow ### 2026-08-25: Russia's Su-57 fighters deployed in Odessa strikes and new variant development Russia is deploying its Su-57 fifth-generation fighters in strikes against Ukrainian infrastructure in Odessa while developing the Su-57D two-seat variant to manage drone swarms and advanced combat tactics. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/russias-su-57-fighters-deployed-in-odessa-strikes-and-new-variant-development ### 2026-08-16: Russia develops Su-57D to command AI drone swarms Russia is developing the two-seat Su-57D to command AI drone swarms and deploying fiber-optic FPV drones equipped with acoustic sensors to ambush vehicles via sound detection. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/russia-develops-su-57d-to-command-ai-drone-swarms ### 2026-08-13: Russia expands Su-57 fighter fleet and develops drone-control capabilities Russia is expanding its Su-57 fighter fleet to 50–60 aircraft, with plans for drone-control capabilities and combat AI. Meanwhile, Moscow officials reported intercepting 201 drones during a large-scale aerial-袭 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/russia-expands-su-57-fighter-fleet-to-achieve-air-superiority ### 2026-07-31: Russia launches global campaign to export RVV‑SDM missile for Su‑57E Russia's Rosoboronexport launched a global marketing campaign for the RVV‑SDM air‑to‑air missile, designed for the export Su‑57E fighter, emphasizing its extended range, active‑passive seeker and fire‑and‑for‑​ 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/russia-launches-global-campaign-to-export-rvvsdm-missile-for-su57e ### 2026-07-28: Russia's Su‑57 Fighter Faces Export Push and Prototype Crash Russia promotes its Su‑57 with a new RVV‑SDM missile export campaign while a Su‑57D prototype crashed, underscoring development hurdles. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/russias-su57-fighter-faces-export-push-and-prototype-crash --- Cite as: Russia Su-57 export campaign and fleet expansion. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/russia-su57-export-campaign