Russian VKS to receive its first Su-57 in late 2019

The Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) are set to receive their first Sukhoi Su-57 fifth-generation multirole combat aircraft before the end of the year, Deputy Defence Minister Alexey Krivoruchko announced during a visit to Far Eastern enterprises on 7–8 November.

“The first serial Su-57 is almost ready for delivery to the troops and the VKS will receive it before the end of the year. We are waiting for one more aircraft [to be supplied] next year; then, production will ramp up,” he said on 8 November.

The VKS is scheduled to receive its first Sukhoi Su-57 before the end of 2019. (Sukhoi)

Krivoruchko added that the VKS had already received 10 Sukhoi Su-35S multirole combat aircraft in 2019. “The Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aviation Plant [KNAAZ, a subsidiary of United Aircraft Corporation] has delivered 10 Sukhoi Su-35Ss ahead of schedule, implementing the State Defence Order [GOZ] for 2019. We are planning to receive the remaining 10 aircraft under the current order next year,” he said, adding that four of the 10 Su-35s delivered have been handed over to the Russian Knights aerobatic team.

Referring to shipyards, Krivoruchko noted, “In 2020 we are set to receive the upgraded Project 1155 large anti-submarine warfare ship Marshal Shaposhnikov .... The multipurpose vertical launch systems to be integrated with the naval platform will allow it in future to launch Tsirkon missiles.”

The Project 949A nuclear-powered submarine Irkutsk , which is being upgraded to the Project 949AM standard, will have the same capability, he added.