Russia’s state arms exporter Rosoboronexport said it signed export agreements involving the Sukhoi Su-57 during the DSA-2026 defense exhibition in Kuala Lumpur, though it did not disclose the number of aircraft, customers or delivery timelines.
The company stated that the export version, known as the Su-57E, has attracted interest from multiple countries and that its customer base is expanding. However, no new operators have been officially identified.
To date, the only widely cited foreign user is Algeria, although neither Moscow nor Algiers has confirmed deliveries. Observers have reported Su-57 activity in Algerian airspace since late 2025, suggesting the aircraft may have entered service without formal announcement.
Previous reports indicated Algeria could acquire around 14 aircraft under a deal discussed since 2019, but the status of that agreement has remained unclear for years. Russian officials have repeatedly referred to an unnamed foreign customer without providing details, while production constraints and the need to tailor systems for export clients have been cited as factors affecting timelines.
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Other countries often mentioned as potential buyers include India as well as Southeast Asian operators. Some of these markets have previously explored unconventional financing structures, including barter-based arrangements, deu to budget constraints.
For United Aircraft Corporation, expanding exports of the Su-57 could provide an additional revenue stream as it works to increase output at the Komsomolsk-on-Amur plant, where production remains limited. The program has faced slow manufacturing rates, making foreign sales a potential way to support scale-up efforts while domestic orders continue to dominate the backlog.
