Russian Fighter Pilot Claims Su-57 Felon 'Superior' to China's J-35
Russia's Sukhoi Su-57 stealth fighter made a show at China’s International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, where Russian test pilot Sergey Bogdan praised its capabilities, calling it superior to any aircraft, including China's J-35A.
What You Need to Know: Russia's Sukhoi Su-57 stealth fighter made a show at China’s International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, where Russian test pilot Sergey Bogdan praised its capabilities, calling it superior to any aircraft, including China's J-35A.
-Despite Bogdan’s bold claims, Chinese attendees seemed more impressed by their own Chengdu J-20 and Shenyang J-35A. Although Bogdan touted the Su-57's maneuverability, stability, and “global prospects,” the Su-57 remains absent from the Ukraine conflict, and its long-term prospects remain uncertain.
-With China now producing two fifth-gen fighters, the future may see a shift, with Russia potentially eyeing Chinese aircraft capabilities.
Russia’s Su-57 vs. China’s J-35A: Who Impressed at Airshow China?
As previously reported, Russia is actively seeking buyers for its Sukhoi Su-57 (NATO reporting name Felon) as it presented the fifth-generation stealth fighter at this week's China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition. Russian officials have claimed those who witnessed the aircraft's demonstration on Tuesday were impressed.
Social media reports have suggested otherwise, with Chinese pundits and observers claiming the domestically-built Chengdu J-20 Mighty Dragon multirole fighter the real star of the show. Moreover, Beijing had a chance to tease its Shenyang J-35A, the carrier-based variant of the FC-31, at this week's Airshow China.
While the brief demonstration of the J-35A reportedly left audiences in attendance wanting for more, at least one Russian aviator was quite notably underwhelmed.
Russia's test pilot Sergey Bogdan dismissed any notion that the J-35A is anywhere as capable as the Su-57.
"We never lag behind," Bogdan told Russian state media outlet Tass on Thursday. "We create our weapons against some competitors and always have a certain temporal reserve. We take into account many things. Our aircraft always boast a competitive edge. In my opinion, the Su-57 fifth-generation airplane is superior to any of the existing ones in the world."
He took direct aim at the still-in-developing Chinese carrier-based fifth-gen fighter.
"As for the newest Chinese J-35 airplane presented, at aerospace shows you can only see general aerodynamic parameters. When it comes to maneuverability, stability, and controllability, our competitors and rivals do not show everything. But in terms of what has been demonstrated, Russian aircraft are always a little bit ahead," Bogdan added.
High Praise From a High Flier…
Bogdan, who was previously awarded the title Hero of Russia, heralded the capabilities of the Su-57, including the Su-57E export variant.
"It has already been practically fully tested as far as air worthiness, maneuverability, stability and controllability are concerned. Its weapons, too, have been polished to perfection. We continue to test new types of missiles and weapons," Bogdan stated.
The Russian test pilot further highlighted capabilities of the Su-57, calling it a "magnificent platform for a future generation of configurations, just as the Su-27 aircraft in its heyday – its layouts and solutions have been used for many decades," while he added that the fifth-gen fighter, even with a complex layout, "has the most magnificent characteristics of aerodynamics, stability, controllability and strength."
Bogdan, who was at the controls of the Su-57 on Tuesday, went on to claim the Russian-made fighter it is a capable warbird.
"Its weapons – powerful, far-reaching and long range – are inside. The defensive capabilities are remarkable. It is a very worthy aircraft with vast, global prospects," he added.
…Or Words From a Braggart
Though Bogdan is a highly capable and therefore respected test pilot, and his skills at the controls can't be questioned, it does seem questionable that he would so readily dismiss the capabilities of China's J-35A, especially during the largest Chinese airshow.
Test pilots have no shortage of hubris, and rightfully so, as they often risk death doing their jobs, where the word "routine" doesn't come into a play on a regular basis. And no doubt, he was encouraged to hype the Su-57 by the likes of Rostec CEO Sergey Chemezov and Rosoboronexport CEO Alexander Mikheyev – who each praised the aircraft earlier in the week.
None of the three men can explain why the Su-57 has been absent from the conflict in Ukraine if it is so capable. It is known that the Kremlin is seeking foreign buyers for the fifth-generation fighter, and Bogdan may have trying to make a sales pitch – but more likely it was an attempt to reassure readers at home (and around the world) that Russia isn't falling behind China in the aerospace world.
With the introduction of the J-35A, Beijing will operate two fifth-gen fighters – and almost certainly in greater numbers than Moscow will ever see with its Su-57. The question from another previous article shouldn't be if China is a buyer of the Su-57, but whether in the future Russia will be buying aircraft from China.
Author Experience and Expertise: Peter Suciu
Peter Suciu is a Michigan-based writer. He has contributed to more than four dozen magazines, newspapers, and websites with over 3,200 published pieces over a twenty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: [email protected].
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