Russia's Su-57 Is Supposed To Challenge Western 5th-Gen Fighters — So Why Is Its Fleet So Small?

The Russian aerospace industry is currently facing significant challenges regarding the production and deployment of its Sukhoi Su-57 Felon fifth-generation fighter aircraft. Currently, approximately 44 times as many Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighters are scheduled for orders and planned deliveries compared to the Su-57’s fleet size. This disparity in procurement numbers has created a concerning “negative feedback loop” for the Su-57 program. Experts believe this imbalance stems from several factors including technological hurdles, high development costs, and potential limitations within Russia's defense industrial base. The limited number of operational Su-57s contrasts sharply with the anticipated global dominance of the F-35 platform, raising questions about the strategic viability of Russia’s ambitions in fifth-generation air combat.