The Sukhoi Su-57, Russia’s first fifth-generation stealth fighter, made its debut at the 2024 Zhuhai Airshow in China, but its appearance has sparked concern over its build quality. Despite its impressive design and advanced capabilities, the aircraft showed signs of poor craftsmanship that raised questions about the readiness of the Su-57 for frontline service.
While the Su-57 has long been touted as Russia’s answer to the U.S. F-22 Raptor and the Chinese J-20, the debut at Zhuhai revealed visible flaws in its construction. Observers noted issues such as uneven panel gaps, misaligned body sections, and an overall lack of finish that detracted from the sleek, high-tech image often associated with fifth-generation fighters. These apparent quality control issues raised doubts about the level of precision involved in the manufacturing process of the aircraft, which is already behind schedule and has faced delays in its production and delivery.
The Su-57’s unveiling at the Zhuhai Airshow was highly anticipated, as it marked one of the rare occasions where the aircraft was displayed in a public setting. The fighter, which boasts advanced avionics, radar-evading stealth features, and a supersonic cruising capability, is central to Russia’s efforts to modernize its air force. However, the show’s display cast a shadow over the aircraft’s capabilities, with many analysts pointing to the importance of quality control in the development of cutting-edge military technologies.
The issues displayed at the airshow highlight ongoing challenges in the Su-57’s production, which has faced numerous setbacks since its inception. Russia has struggled with a combination of technical challenges, funding shortages, and an over-reliance on imported components that has slowed the fighter’s rollout. With the Su-57 still not in widespread service, the debut in Zhuhai raises concerns about the aircraft’s operational readiness and the long-term viability of Russia’s stealth program.
While the Su-57 remains a formidable concept with potential, its debut at Zhuhai suggests that the fighter may still be far from reaching the level of quality and reliability required for operational deployment. As Russia continues to refine the Su-57, it will need to address these manufacturing issues to ensure that the aircraft can live up to its promises on the global stage.
