Russia is attempting to give a new dimension to the capabilities of the Su-57, presenting it not merely as a fifth-generation fighter, but as an advanced carrier of stealth unmanned systems and long-range weapons. At the El Alamein International Airshow 2026 in Egypt, Moscow is showcasing the new S-71 system family for the first time, with the S-71M Monokhrom and S-71K Kovyór standing out as the most significant new products. The capability to deploy such weapons from the Su-57 expands the strike options of the Russian fighter, allowing it to operate from greater distances and limit its exposure to powerful anti-aircraft systems.
Indicatively, Ukrainian intelligence claims that the Kovyór has already been used in operations as a cost-effective strike weapon with a range of approximately 300 kilometers. This development acquires even greater significance as Russia simultaneously attempts to bring the proposal to sell the Su-57 to India back into the spotlight. Moscow is offering New Delhi not only ready-made aircraft, but also co-production and technological cooperation at a time when India faces delays in its own fifth-generation fighter program.
New features of the Su-57
Earlier, the Russian news agency TASS reported: "State corporation Rostec will conduct the world premiere presentation of multifunctional stealth drones designed to be launched from the fifth-generation Su-57 fighter. The drones will be presented at the El Alamein 2026 international airshow. The drones are equipped with different types of wings." The S-71 drone features a trapezoidal fuselage, folding wings, and an inverted V-tail configuration. The S-71K operates primarily as a guided air-launched air-to-ground munition, featuring modular warheads and a guidance system that can include electro-optical or semi-active laser homing.
Conversely, the S-71M is a more autonomous system capable of searching for, detecting, and striking moving targets using electro-optical sensors and on-board data processing systems. The operator can optionally remain in the control loop for confirmation or terminal guidance. The S-71M can also be carried externally or mounted inside the weapons bay of a Su-57 or the S-70 Okhotnik unmanned aerial vehicle. "The classification of the S-71M as an air-launched UAV rather than a cruise missile suggests that the drone's advanced autonomous capabilities allow it to return to the launch point or another designated location after completing its mission," notes Indian Air Force veteran and avid observer of Russian developments, Squadron Leader Vijainder K. Thakur (ret.).
Stealth drone launch platform
The presentation at the Egyptian airshow holds special significance, as it showcases the Su-57 not just as a combat aircraft, but as a drone launch platform. This expands strike capabilities and operational range while reducing the need to expose the aircraft to areas defended by heavy air defense systems. A Rostec representative emphasized that drones are now utilized both as sensors and as primary strike assets in modern warfare. "Rostec specialists have created a family of versatile platforms designed for use with fifth-generation fighters and capable of performing a wide range of missions. During the world premiere in Egypt, we will present these new products alongside the Russian Su-57E fifth-generation fighter," the representative stated. Although Russia has not publicly stated whether it intends to offer the Su-57 specifically to Egypt or other Middle Eastern nations, it has repeatedly left open the possibility of co-production agreements with interested partners.
India disinterested, but Russia offers the Su-57 again
During their recent meeting at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reportedly discussed the potential acquisition of the Su-57 stealth fighter and S-500 air defense systems, according to several Indian media reports. If confirmed, this would represent yet another effort by Moscow to persuade India to purchase the Su-57, as the aircraft was also showcased at Aero India 2025. Russia had initially offered a "golden deal" that included supplying fully built aircraft, manufacturing the Su-57 in India, and participating in the development of India's AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft) fifth-generation fighter. In June 2026, Vladimir Putin himself revived the proposal, citing the two countries' past cooperation on the FGFA (Fifth-Generation Fighter Aircraft) program and characterizing the Su-57 as the finest fifth-generation fighter in the world.
Putin stated that Russia was ready to cooperate with India "without any problems or restrictions." Despite the theoretically enticing offer, India has so far declined to commit to acquiring the Su-57. This can be partly attributed to the failed partnership in the FGFA program, from which India withdrew due to deficiencies in stealth performance, engine capabilities, and insufficient access to design data and source code. Following months of indifference, India made its lack of interest in the aircraft explicit in July 2026, when Defense Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh stated that the country has no plans to acquire a "new Sukhoi version" and is instead focusing on upgrading its existing Sukhoi fleet. Asked why Moscow persists with its Su-57 proposal to India, IAF veteran and former test pilot Air Marshal Anil Chopra told the EurAsian Times: "Russia no longer has traditional buyers, especially since China developed its own fighter jets and stopped purchasing them from Moscow. India is the only major defense importer capable of making a large purchase. It is natural for them to try their luck." An Indian purchase of the Su-57 could inject billions of dollars into the sanctioned Russian economy and significantly bolster efforts to market Russian stealth fighters, as the EurAsian Times previously explained. At the same time, such a deal could trigger a chain reaction among other nations seeking advanced fighters but lacking access to US systems like the F-35, whether due to political restrictions or prohibitive costs.
Does India need the Su-57?
When asked if India currently needs the Su-57, Air Marshal Chopra stated that India realizes its indigenous fifth-generation AMCA program may face delays, similar to what occurred with the Tejas Mk2. Combined with Pakistan's acquisition of Chinese J-35A fighters, this could cause serious concern for the Indian Air Force. "India does not have many options. The AMCA will take time, the US may not grant the F-35 to India since the country operates the S-400, while European nations are already developing sixth-generation fighters," he added. As previously reported by the EurAsian Times, defense observers and veterans estimate that the first flight of the AMCA could be pushed back to 2032 or later, as private defense firms may struggle to meet strict deadlines. This would leave the Indian Air Force with a significant gap in stealth fighters relative to its rivals. China possesses two stealth fighters, the J-20 and J-35, and is exporting the J-35 to Pakistan. 
Faced with declining squadron strength, the Indian Air Force is moving closer to signing a deal for 114 Rafale fighters, 94 of which would be manufactured locally. However, this acquisition will not close the growing technological gap between India and its adversaries. For this reason, several veterans have repeatedly advocated for a limited off-the-shelf purchase of Russian stealth jets to bridge the gap until the AMCA is ready for operational service. Russia also showcased and offered India the two-seater variant of the Su-57, which is believed to carry broader appeal given that the original FGFA program was based on a twin-seat aircraft. When asked whether India has definitively decided to reject the Su-57, Air Marshal Chopra noted that the Defense Secretary's stance carries weight but was not delivered at the highest political level, leaving open the possibility that New Delhi is managing its public messaging with an eye on its relationships with the US and Western partners. "It is difficult to say at this stage, but we must remember that the statement against the Sukhois came from the Defense Secretary and not at the political level. The Government of India may be avoiding expressing interest in the Su-57 so as not to provoke the United States and the West... that is a distinct possibility," he stated.
www.bankingnews.gr
Σχόλια αναγνωστών