A Su-57 fighter jet conducts a flight performance at the 15th Airshow China in Zhuhai, South China's Guangdong Province, on November 12, 2024. Photo: Cui Meng/GT

Su-57 is one of the world's few fifth-generation stealth fighter jets of the world, and this marks the first appearance of Russia's most advanced military aircraft at the biennial Airshow China in Zhuhai, South China's Guangdong Province, and with the impressive flight performance, it has attracted wide attention at the event. 

As part of its promotion campaign for Su-57E ("E" means export), Alexander Mikheev, director general of Rosoboronexport, Russia's only state-controlled intermediary for the export and import of military and dual-use products, told the Global Times that "we are holding technical consultations with a number of Russia's strategic partners. We are discussing both deliveries of final products from Russia and cooperation within joint development and production projects."

Rosoboronexport has signed the first contracts to deliver the export version of the Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jet to foreign customers at the airshow, according to TASS. 

Russia has sent two Su-57 jets to Airshow China 2024, with one attending flight performance in the air, and the other presenting a static display to let military delegates worldwide and media, as well as audiences to have a close look. Su-57 and its legend pilot Sergey Bogdan have gained a large fan following not only at the airshow but also among Chinese social media due to the fantastic flight performance.

Standing next to the Su-57E on static display at the airshow, "Mike," a staff member of Rosoboronexport, told the Global Times on Wednesday that the fighter jet "comprises the best technical performances and fully complies with the fifth generation criteria which include the supersonic cruise flight mode, low radar and infrared signature. It has high noise immunity while operating in a contested air environment and it has one of the most advanced and powerful element complexes specifically designed and integrated on the fighter jet."

Mikheev told the Global Times that "Airshow China is one of the largest aerospace exhibitions in the world. It is a landmark event for Rosoboronexport. It was in Zhuhai that the Russian special exporter, established on November 4, 2000, first showcased its products. That is why we are pleased to organize the premiere show of the Su-57E fifth-generation multi-role fighter here, where our aircraft can be seen and appreciated by Russia's key partners."

"We are exhibiting here the latest guided missiles and air bombs for fifth-generation fixed-wing aircraft and attack helicopters," Mikheev said.

He said Su-57E's key competitive advantage is the combat experience against advanced Western air defense systems such as the PATRIOT, NASAMS and IRIS.

Song Zhongping, a Chinese military expert, told the Global Times on Thursday that the airshow provides an open platform for all its partners to share their latest achievement in defense industry, aviation and other relevant fields, including Russia, so this is why Russia sees it as a significant opportunity to allow more countries to view and learn about its products, especially when it's still suffering from Western sanctions.

"Su-57 is a fighter jet that has real combat experience, so its appearance at the airshow also provides China a great opportunity to learn and make exchanges with the Russians. Su-57 and China's J-20 and J-35 all have their own characteristics and unique advantages, and through communication, the two countries can mutually promote the development of this area," Song noted.

Mikheev said cooperation between Russia and China in the military-technical sphere is of particular importance for strengthening and developing bilateral relations. The military-technical cooperation between the two countries is of strategic nature, relying on the solid and time-tested principles of equality, mutual benefit and trust with due regard for the interest of the parties and is not directed against third states. 

"Rosoboronexport will hold meetings and negotiations with representatives of China and delegations of Russia-friendly countries on cooperation and strengthening military-technical potential," Mikheev said.