https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=630T8hABwbM
Russia’s Su-57 stealth fighter entered service in 2020 with high expectations, but the numbers tell a different story. By 2025, only 44 units have been built, with plans for 76 by 2027. Despite a unit cost near $50 million, the jet has failed to secure international buyers. Its first confirmed sale—six aircraft to Algeria—won’t even arrive until late 2025.
India, once a co-developer, pulled out in 2018 citing poor engineering and unreliable systems, later rejecting the jet in favor of the Rafale-M. Reports also reveal sanctions choking Russia’s production, leaving the Su-57 plagued by missing components and steep reliability concerns. In contrast, the U.S. F-35 program has delivered over 1,230 jets to 20 nations by 2025, highlighting just how far Russia’s flagship has fallen short.