[REVISION HISTORY]

Russia Su-57 export campaign and fleet expansion

Updated 7 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-09-09 13:23 UTC → 2026-09-13 07:49 UTC · added ~~removed~~

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.

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