MOSCOW ($1=73.12 Russian Rubles) — Sanctions against the Russian Federation imposed by Western countries continue. Russia is said to no longer have access to Western semiconductors, chips, and integrated circuits. It has been so since the beginning of this year, when Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24th.
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However, Russia continues to produce fighter jets and supply them to the Russian air and space forces. Dozens of new fighters have been delivered since the start of the war. The Su-30, Su-34, Su-35, and Su-57 continue to replenish the inventory of the Russian Air Force.
Today, December 28, the Russian Air Force [VKS] received a delivery of a new batch of Su-57 Felon stealth fighters. The Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aviation Plant has confirmed the news, as has the UAC. The plant in Komsomolsk-on-Amur is part of the United Aircraft Corporation [UAC] group.
BulgarianMilitary.com reports that Russia is investing billions of USD to expand production at a plant in Komsomolsk on the Amur. It was for this reason that a representative of the Russian Ministry of Industry pointed out today’s delivery. “The expansion of production facilities continues, new high-tech equipment is put into operation, additional production personnel is involved,” the official from the ministry also said.
The CEO of Rostech, Mr. Sergey Chemezov, announced that with today’s delivery, Russia has received what was planned for this year. The combat aircraft, which is planned for delivery at the beginning of 2023, is already in serial production, added Mr. Chemezov.
Russia has officially confirmed that Su-57s took part in military operations in Donbas this year. It is about four Su-57 fighters. The information was confirmed by General Serhiy Surovikin, commander of the unified group of troops in Ukraine. “It [the aircraft] solves multifaceted tasks,” Surovikin said, emphasizing its array of armaments. Earlier in the year [mid-June], Russian media suggested that the Su-57 was being used “to build a tactical information network.”
According to Mr. Yuri Slyusar general director of UAK in 2025, Russia should have in operational readiness a combat squadron made up of Su-57 Felon. It is quite possible, says Mr. Slussar, that the squadron will be placed in the 23rd regiment. The 23rd Regiment is no accident. It can be said that this regiment is privileged as it was the first to fly the first Su-27 Flanker and Su-35 Flanker-E years ago.
Currently, only Russia is the operator of the Su-57 Felon. If before the start of the war there were hopes for Russia to sell its stealth fighter abroad, they are gradually diminishing. Russia made the move earlier this month, hoping to rekindle Vietnam’s interest. Only this country remained as a potential customer for the Su-57. For this purpose, Moscow sent its Su-57 fighter jet to take part in the exhibition held in Hanoi between December 8 and 10. Vietnam has wanted to modernize its air force for years.
Thus, despite the sanctions, Russia continues to produce and supply the Su-57. The delivery made today gives optimism that the new production facilities will help speed up production. Such is Moscow’s intentions.
Construction also began in August on a new avionics test facility, a tank farm, and a new engine test stand, all of which are scheduled to enter service in mid-2023.
The latest innovation at the Russian plant is a cold room, which is a bit worrying as it turns out there hasn’t been one before. The cold storage was officially opened in August. Its main purpose is to help the Su-57 more quickly acquire its radio-absorbing coating, or so-called stealth coating.
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