The SU-57’s First International Airshow Appearance Raises Questions
This is the first time the SU-57 has ever participated in an air show abroad, commented Defense Express, adding that now it has become clear why the Russians have never allowed spectators to get close to it.
The first foreign trip of the new SU-57 was supposed to be a morale-boosting exercise for the Russian aircraft manufacturer, as the event took place in a friendly country, China. However, the Russian Su-57 fighter jet’s debut at an international event, the China 2024 Airshow in Zhuhai, turned into what some have called “the final nail in the coffin of the myth that this aircraft belongs to the fifth generation.” According to sources, the condition of the plane indicates that “all Russian aircraft-building technologies have remained at the level of the 20th century.”
Structural Flaws Noted
One aspect that caught the attention of visitors was the large number of screws holding the fuselage panels together. While previous models had similar layouts, the joints in the SU-57 appear to lack refinement. Photos reveal screws with different types of fastening, raising questions about the design quality.
Additionally, the joints connecting the gun bay doors to other fuselage parts further highlight the real technological level of aircraft construction in Russia and the production culture behind it.
Social Media Reaction
Chinese social media users shared videos and images of the plane, ridiculing what was supposed to be Russia’s latest fifth-generation fighter jet. However, it’s important to note that the model displayed was a prototype, not the full production model. This prototype, labeled with board number 054 and model ID T-50-4, is the fourth among test models. Observers noted that it should have been perfected by now.
Chinese commentators have compared the SU-57 to their own Chengdu J-20, a fighter that Beijing also claims as a fifth-generation aircraft. However, China has similarly avoided showcasing the J-20 in detail.
