The deputy commander of the Russian Aerospace Forces claimed on Friday that the service will soon be operating additional Sukhoi Su-57 (NATO reporting name “Felon”) fifth-generation stealth fighters. Fewer than three dozen of the aircraft have been produced, despite the Kremlin’s announcement last summer that it would increase its fighter jet manufacturing capabilities.

Russia is now claiming again that its military will receive additional Su-57s, but also more Su-35S (NATO reporting name “Flanker-E/M”) air superiority fighters and Su-34 (NATO reporting name “Fullback”) fighter-bombers in the coming weeks.

“In accordance with the state procurement order, the Russian Aerospace Forces are receiving modern and upgraded weapons and equipment on an annual basis,” Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Aerospace Forces Lt. Gen. Alexander Maksimtsev told the Krasnaya Zvezda newspaper, per a report from TASS. “The delivery of Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jets with modern aircraft armaments and hypersonic weapons is being ramped up.”

Last November, Rostec, the state-owned military-industrial conglomerate, and the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) had claimed another batch of various aircraft had also been delivered. However, the........

© The National Interest