The SU-57E highly maneuverable supersonic plane performed aerobatics during its flight on Tuesday at the Zhuhai airshow

Russia has presented a new fifth-generation stealth fighter jet at the Airshow China 2024. The SU-57E [export version] highly maneuverable supersonic plane made its world premiere flight on Tuesday in the Chinese city of Zhuhai.

The plane, operated by the honored Russian test pilot Sergey Bogdan, has demonstrated aerobatics during the flight program. 

The multirole fighter, the Su-57 has been designed to evade radars and strike aerial and ground targets, including air defense sites. The plane, developed by Sukhoi, incorporates stealth, supermaneuverability, supercruise, integrated avionics and large payload capacity. The first Su-57 entered service with Russian Aerospace Forces in 2020. 

“The Su-57 aircraft is one of the best fifth-generation aircraft in the world, and in a number of characteristics it has no equal,” Vadim Badekha, CEO of the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), told RT on Tuesday, adding that “for a long time, it has attracted legitimate interest from our long-term partners.” 

The UAC chief executive noted that “a certain queue has formed” for the aircraft.

Russian state-owned Rostec defense corporation described the Su-57E as the star of the Russian exposition in China, noting its ability to use high-precision guided weapons and its low visibility to detection equipment. 

In 2022, Rostec announced plans to ramp up the production of Su-57 jet fighters amid the Ukraine conflict, stating that the Russian Air Force will receive new Su-57s. 

Rosoboronexport, the Russian state agency for international arms trade, is the organizer of Russia’s collective display at the event. Aside from the SU-57 fighter jets, Rosoboronexport also showcased the latest air-launched weapons, a wide range of helicopters and air defense systems. Among those were the new generation X- 69 multifunctional stealth air-to-ground high-precision cruise missile, the Grom-E1 air-launched guided missile, K08BE corrected aerial bomb, UPAB-1500B-E guided gliding aerial bomb.

The 15th Airshow China is taking place from November 12-17. Around 150 foreign exhibitors from 47 countries are presenting military and civil aircraft, space technology, weapons, air defense systems, and electronic warfare.