Su-57 FGFA developments

Russia had reportedly deployed two examples of its Su-57 fifthgeneration fighters to Hmeymim Air Base in Syria’s Latakia province. The two stealth fighters were escorted by a Su-30SM but departed three days later and it is unclear whether the deployment was related to on-going tests and evaluation of the aircraft. Earlier, Russia’s Deputy Defence Minister Yuri Borisov announced that the Su-57 had completed its first stage of flight acceptance tests, being flown by contractor test pilots and that the defence ministry

was close to signing a contract for a pre-production batch of 12 Su-57s. Nine flying prototypes are currently undergoing tests and the first two pre-production aircraft could enter VKS service next year, according to Borisov.