Key Technologies for Su-57E, Including AL-51F Engine and 2D TVC, Still Under Development, Casting Doubt on India's Potential 5th-Gen Choice

A senior Indian Air Force (IAF) official has revealed that the Su-57E, Russia's export variant of its fifth-generation stealth fighter, is facing significant delays. According to the official, the Su-57E equipped with the advanced AL-51F engine and 2D Thrust Vector Control (TVC) nozzles is at least 4-5 years away from being production-ready.

While Russia has showcased the Su-57E with a stealth engine casing and other enhancements, it remains uncertain whether the export version offered to India would include these upgrades. Even if these features are incorporated, the production timeline for such a variant would likely extend well into the latter half of this decade.

The IAF official also pointed out that the Su-57 units currently in service with the Russian Air Force lack the 2D TVC and stealth engine casing, raising concerns about the maturity and readiness of these technologies.

The fate of advanced features like the flat nozzle version of the AL-51F-1 engine and stealth enhancements hinges on the proposed Su-57M, an upgraded variant of the Felon. However, with limited orders for the original Su-57 model, the future of the Su-57M remains uncertain. Progress on the Su-57M could face delays or even cancellation, depending on Russia's resource allocation and market demand.

This news comes as a setback for India, which has been exploring options for acquiring fifth-generation fighter jets. India previously withdrew from the joint Fifth-Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) program with Russia due to performance and cost concerns. The delays in the Su-57E further emphasize the need for India to consider alternative options, such as accelerating the indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program or pursuing partnerships with Western defence manufacturers.

While the Su-57E holds potential as a fifth-generation fighter with advanced stealth and manoeuvrability, its protracted development timeline and uncertainties surrounding key features like the AL-51F engine and 2D TVC raise concerns about its suitability for India's defence needs. The IAF will need to carefully evaluate whether the Su-57E aligns with its operational requirements and long-term defence strategies.

 

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[Surfer]

Still better than what we have, what other options we have.

 

[DB_NE_Guy]

If considerable progress is made them I think India should start to negotiate within 2 years. It can be stop-gap measure until AMCA is there.

 

[P.K Senapati]

Su57 that India plans to get from Russia should includ the Al51 engine with this 2D Stealth nozzle.

 

[Andy]

As there was a lot of heat by Russian lobbies, the other sides are now highlighting why SU57 is not feasible. But comparison should be bw what's available to buy. Is SU57 in it's current version has an edge over J20, 35. Is it vfm over Rafale?

 

[op gupta]

I think the only option left for India to immediately purchase j-20 or j-35 without any delay and debate if india can import raw materials then why is problem with importing finished and fine goods from china?

 

[Sunny]

Is there a better option than the SU-57 which is on offer to india or we can develop and induct earlier? If there is then we should go with that fighter. If not then let's go with SU-57. Also any indigenous fighter being developed is dependent on foreign engine so foreign dependency will always remain in the mid term and we will not have an indigenous solution for over a decade.

 

[nagendra simha]

The best option seems to be to speed up the Super Su-30MKI upgrade with an internal weapons bay to reduce the massive RCS. A powerful AESA radar, a new powerful engine, and the IAF needs to heavily upgrade early warning radar and buy AWACS ASAP.

Pakistan has stealth jet offers from China and Turkey.

The Russians just wasted our time and money, so don't go with the Su-57. Just join the European stealth project as a backup in case AMCA follows the LCA development time.

 

[Provocateur Extraordinaire]

What are the odds that the senior IAF officer quoted here, who conveniently declined to be identified, is a figment of imagination? Otherwise how do you lend weight to a purely speculative article bereft of any meaningful facts?

 

[Mango_Indian]

THIS is the EXACT reason why IAF is till flying MIG-21s while rejecting F-16, F-18, Gripen and obviously SU-57. Nakhre.

One can nitpick with a Rolls Royce as well...so poor mileage from the 6.75 Litre V12 engine.

Arre bhai...if you order today, the first SU-57 will be delivered after 4 years. For an aircraft in development, that gives the runway to make changes. And what do you have comparable to SU-57 that is available for India at comparable cost ? HAL promises. Nothing else - squadron strength of 28 in 2025 against 45 planned. Thats reality.

So, make peace in life and get what is available instead of complaining like a spoilt child.

 

[The Presence]

THIS is the EXACT reason why IAF is till flying MIG-21s while rejecting F-16, F-18, Gripen and obviously SU-57. Nakhre.

One can nitpick with a Rolls Royce as well...so poor mileage from the 6.75 Litre V12 engine.

Arre bhai...if you order today, the first SU-57 will be delivered after 4 years. For an aircraft in development, that gives the runway to make changes. And what do you have comparable to SU-57 that is available for India at comparable cost ? HAL promises. Nothing else - squadron strength of 28 in 2025 against 45 planned. Thats reality.

So, make peace in life and get what is available instead of complaining like a spoilt child.

Our budget is already stretched thin. Another type of aircraft is the last thing we need. Shortcut approaches like this is what has gotten us into this nightmare of maintaining 6 different types of foreign aircrafts.

It's much wiser to pour all our resources into the Tejas Mk-2 and AMCA to make them stick to their original deadlines as much as possible.

Squadron strength can be greatly mitigated with unmanned systems like CATS Warrior and Ghatak in the meantime.

 

[vinod nair]

We need fifth generations whether the operator is on board or not. So the procurement should b done from what is available and operational at the time of requirement and doesnot reqùre permission from seller for it usage

 

[Dredd]

Our budget is already stretched thin. Another type of aircraft is the last thing we need. Shortcut approaches like this is what has gotten us into this nightmare of maintaining 6 different types of foreign aircrafts.

It's much wiser to pour all our resources into the Tejas Mk-2 and AMCA to make them stick to their original deadlines as much as possible.

Squadron strength can be greatly mitigated with unmanned systems like CATS Warrior and Ghatak in the meantime.

Enemy already have 2 type of 5th gen fighters and testing 3 types of 6th gen fighter/bomber along with planned thousands of drones. here are we cribbing about budget and planning to induct 4.5 gen jet in 2030s.
This need immediate attention , may be carve out a separate acquisition budget for 5th and development of 6th gen fighters.

 

[The Presence]

Enemy already have 2 type of 5th gen fighters and testing 3 types of 6th gen fighter/bomber along with planned thousands of drones. here are we cribbing about budget and planning to induct 4.5 gen jet in 2030s.
This need immediate attention , may be carve out a separate acquisition budget for 5th and development of 6th gen fighters.

I understand the frustration. But kneejerk reactions won't lead us anywhere.

Su-57 with all it's blunt surfaces and semi-exposed fan blades is no match to the stealth of J-20. Even Russia itself has inducted just a handful of these.

F-35 is a good option, but it has not been offered till date. What we MUST do right now is increase the Defence Budget to $100 Billion and start treating Defence as an industry just like Steel & Cement.

 

[Mike Calak]

Despite beliefs, unlike the F-22 flat nozzle, which is mounted not on a nozzle, the Su-57 is mounted on a 3D TVC nozzle. It is ill-informed to suggest that this nozzle is far off from production. But even worse is the fact that the Su-57E is ready as we speak. It's officials like this that disappoint me. The Su-57 would already be in service with India right now if it wasn't for people like this!