In this light, the capabilities of modern fighter jets have come to the fore since the outbreak of the Russo-Ukraine War. While Ukraine waits on its Western allies for F-16 Fighting Falcons, attention now turns to Russia’s most advanced offering: its fifth-generation Su-57 “Felon” fighter jet, whose deployment numbers are less than a handful in the conflict.
While boasting impressive design features, it has chalked up considerable production delays and tech issues.
Since the maiden flight in 2010, only 32 were delivered to the Russian Air Force, and production only started in 2019, indicating considerable development and industrial bottlenecks.
No doubt, problems with its engines-it have plagued the jet still employs the Al-41F1 engines that power the Su-35S-and its sensor suite remains incomplete, probably due to international sanctions following Russia’s 2014 invasion of Crimea.
Controversy also surrounds the Su-57’s radar cross-section. Independent estimates have pegged it around 0.5 square meters, rivaling a ‘clean’ fourth-generation F/A-18 Super Hornet but significantly larger than the F-22 Raptor. That would put the Su-57 at a considerable disadvantage in stealth capability compared to US fifth-generation fighters.
These notwithstanding, the Su-57 is still a good fighter. In this regard, defense analyst Christian Orr claims no pilot flying the F-22 or F-35-and indeed those flying fourth-generation fighters-can take for granted the Su-57. This aircraft is equipped with 360-degree thrust vectoring that enables sophisticated maneuverability, even hitting Mach 2 is possible.
The Russian Defense Ministry has demanded that production in 2024 be double that of the year before.
United Aircraft Corporation Chief Executive Officer Yuri Slyusar said that the volume of orders increased considerably, so more work had to go into production. UAC delivered 12 Su-57s in 2023, over double what was recorded in 2022.
UAC will be able to hand over more than 20 Su-57 in 2024 and 76 units by 2028.
Acquiring F-16s from NATO allies Denmark, the Netherlands, and Belgium would upgrade Ukraine’s air force.
The legendary F-16 Fighting Falcon is known worldwide for its agility, maneuverability, and many years of distinguished service in war. It originated as a lightweight air superiority day fighter but is now an all-weather multirole aircraft.
The F-16 can surpass Mach 2 and reach 50,000 feet; the Su-57 boasts an even loftier ceiling. It also features a combat radius of around 340 miles, only using internal fuel, and a ferry range greater than 2,000 miles with external tanks. Armat The AN/APG-66 very advanced radar systems within this aircraft permitted it to sense air and ground targets at a distance of greater than 60 miles.
It can carry more and a wider range of weapons than its Soviet counterpart, the MiG-29, or its latest Russian challenger, the Su-57; underneath and on its belly racks, it can carry missiles, bombs, and anti-radar weapons.
On the other hand, the F-16 has caused maintenance headaches. A U.S. study last year by the General Accounting Office listed it as among the most difficult Air Force planes to maintain.
According to Mark Cancian, a retired U.S. Marine Colonel and senior adviser to the Center for Strategic & International Studies Security Program, the F-16s will be available as much as Ukraine can establish adequate support and logistics infrastructure that includes training pilots and fielding systems required for maintenance, fueling, and munitions supply.
Ukraine thus hopes that the incorporation of F-16s in its air force would serve the purpose of achieving parity with the aerial capabilities of Russia. For one, the Su-57 is beset by problems in production and performance.