Ekaterina Girnyk12:45, December 7, 2025

Chinese analysts note that the Su-57’s stealth is “unsatisfactory.”

Russia’s flagship fifth-generation fighter jet with stealth technology, the Su-57, has long been touted as a revolutionary project in military aviation, but has yet to achieve significant success in the international market . According to eurasiantimes.com , Russia offered China an export version (the Su-57E), and negotiations were underway regarding joint operations or small-scale cooperation, according to numerous reports. However, China ultimately rejected these aircraft.

China showed genuine interest in the Su-57 project back in the early 2010s, when the aircraft was still in development. At the time, China’s fifth-generation Chengdu J-20 Mighty Dragon program was just getting started, and Beijing viewed the Su-57 as a quick way to acquire advanced technologies such as stealth coatings, avionics, and engine design.

“The deal was not reached, and today China publicly mocks the Su-57 while simultaneously producing its own J-20 and J-35,” analysts note.

China has its own successful developments

By the mid-2010s, the J-20 fighter entered service in China, and its production rapidly increased—over 300 aircraft are now in service, with more expected. This large air superiority aircraft, specifically designed for the Pacific region, boasts powerful stealth technologies and missile armament that rival or exceed the radar stealth of the Su-57.

Russia has only built around 20-30 of these aircraft so far. It’s primarily a multirole fighter (for air combat and ground attack), but Chinese analysts note that its stealth is “unsatisfactory”—the visible engine nozzles and slits make it more noticeable than the J-20 or the American F-22.

In addition, China presented the J-35A (a carrier-based stealth aircraft similar to the F-35) at air shows, copying American designs and completely abandoning Russian ones.

“At best, the fourth generation”

China’s initial interest was primarily for “training” purposes—buying a few and disassembling them in laboratories. But Russia declined, especially after the sanctions imposed in 2014. The lack of a full technology transfer meant no deal.

Two Su-57s were unveiled at the 2024 Zhuhai Air Show and were criticized on Chinese social media for “shoddy workmanship”—visible propellers, rusty panels, and poor assembly. One post called it “fourth generation at best,” putting an end to any remaining rumors about a possible deal.

(C)UNIAN 2025