(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) –The desert air over Dubai World Central Airport shimmered as Russia delivered one of the most closely watched showcases of Dubai Airshow 2025 by unveiling not only its full-scale Su-57E fifth-generation fighter but also a detailed model demonstrating the new two-dimensional (2D) thrust-vectoring engine nozzle configuration that has become the centre of global aerospace discussion.

The event, held between 17 and 21 November, served as a strategic stage for Russia to demonstrate that its fifth-generation aerospace ambitions remain fully alive, competitive, and increasingly export-oriented despite ongoing geopolitical pressure.

The Russian pavilion immediately drew attention with the Su-57E fighter arriving on 11 November after a nonstop ferry flight, piloted by veteran test pilot Sergei Bogdan, signaling Moscow’s intention to dominate the airshow’s military aviation narrative.

The static display of the aircraft featured rare exposure of its internal weapons bays loaded with air-to-surface and anti-radiation munitions, showcasing the stealth-centric internal carriage philosophy central to fifth-generation combat requirements.

This dual-display strategy also signalled Russia’s confidence in the Su-57E’s technological maturity, demonstrating that Moscow is prepared to market the platform not merely as a prototype-intensive development project but as a fully export-ready system positioned to challenge Western fifth-generation narratives.

However, the main attraction inside the Russian booth was the precision-crafted Su-57E model featuring the newly developed 2D TVC flat nozzles of the AL-51F-1 engine, designed to visually communicate the stealth and aerodynamic benefits of the updated propulsion system.

The model, displayed prominently beside the actual Su-57E, allowed visitors to examine the complex geometry of the serrated, flattened nozzles—an aspect difficult to visually comprehend on the operational aircraft due to heat shielding and protective coverings during ground display.

The Dubai Airshow, drawing more than 1,500 exhibitors and delegations from over 100 countries, provided the perfect platform for Russia to introduce this engine advancement during a period of rising demand for alternatives to Western fighters amid complex geopolitical realignments.

The emphasis on the 2D TVC model further highlights Russia’s evolving acknowledgement that stealth shaping and thermal management are becoming decisive factors in future air combat, especially as Indo-Pacific and Middle Eastern air forces prepare for a battlespace increasingly dominated by long-range sensors, networked air-defence grids, and counter-stealth detection technologies.

The debut of both the aircraft and the model underscored Moscow’s message that Russia intends to disrupt Western dominance in aerospace exports by offering a fifth-generation package combining stealth, long-range strike capability, and supermaneuverability at substantially lower cost.

For Defence Security Asia, this unveiling represents a significant development for Indo-Pacific and Middle Eastern air forces seeking non-Western fifth-generation combat solutions suited for contested airspaces in the South China Sea, the Indian Ocean, and emerging regional flashpoints.

THE SU-57 PROGRAMME’S LONG JOURNEY TO INTERNATIONAL PROMINENCE

The Sukhoi Su-57, known by its NATO codename “Felon,” originated under the PAK FA programme in the early 2000s as Russia’s competing answer to the United States’ F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II families of fifth-generation stealth fighters.

The first prototype took flight in 2010, and serial production commenced in 2019, marking the start of Russia’s long-awaited transition into full-scale fifth-generation capability.

Despite economic sanctions arising from the Ukraine conflict and supply chain difficulties, Russia has delivered more than 50 Su-57 fighters to its Aerospace Forces by 2025, demonstrating resilience and continued industrial capacity.

The Su-57 has undergone operational evaluations in Syria in 2018 and entered combat roles in Ukraine from 2022 onwards, reportedly engaging in precision strike missions and SEAD operations using Kh-59MK2 and Kh-69 stealth-enhanced air-launched missiles.

These combat deployments reinforced Russia’s claim that the Su-57 possesses operational maturity, distinguishing it from certain competitor platforms still undergoing incremental testing phases.

The export-specific Su-57E variant was developed to meet international requirements by adjusting avionics, EW systems, and certain classified technologies while maintaining core attributes such as internal weapons carriage, stealth shaping, and extreme maneuverability.

Algeria became the first foreign customer in 2020 with an estimated order of 14 aircraft valued at USD 1.2–1.4 billion (RM 5.7–6.6 billion), making it the first nation to commit to Russia’s fifth-generation export line.

India, meanwhile, continues studying the possibility of Su-57E co-production as a bridging capability toward its domestic AMCA programme, which remains years away from first flight.

Russia’s decision to present the Su-57E and the 2D TVC model at Dubai follows earlier international appearances, but the Middle Eastern debut is particularly symbolic given the region’s expanding appetite for advanced combat aircraft and its ongoing evaluation of counter-stealth capabilities.

The AL-51F-1 engine—commonly referred to by its internal designation Izdeliye 30—plays a critical role in transforming the Su-57E into a next-generation export platform by merging high thrust, improved range, reduced infrared signature, and advanced TVC capability designed for future high-end air combat.

THE NEW 2D TVC NOZZLES — THE HEART OF THE SU-57E’S NEXT EVOLUTION

The centrepiece of Russia’s Dubai Airshow 2025 presence was the scale model illustrating the Su-57E’s next-generation 2D thrust-vectoring flat nozzles developed for the AL-51F-1 engine, marking a significant shift in Russian stealth propulsion philosophy.

These new nozzles differentiate themselves sharply from the original AL-41F1’s 3D axisymmetric design by presenting a flattened, rectangular profile intended to diminish radar and infrared visibility from the rear hemisphere.

The model presented inside the booth highlighted the four independently controlled flaps that regulate exhaust vectoring, with two flaps optimised for subsonic operations and two for supersonic performance, enabling precise pitch control and limited asymmetric roll authority.

The flat-nozzle configuration resembles the F-22 Raptor’s F119 nozzle arrangement but is uniquely tailored for the Su-57’s blended fuselage, retaining the aircraft’s fluid aerodynamic lines without requiring major airframe restructuring.

The serrated edges displayed on the model reduce radar reflectivity by dispersing electromagnetic waves, an important feature for aircraft operating within sophisticated surveillance environments like those found in the Indo-Pacific.

Vented flap channels showcased on the model provide cooling airflow over exhaust components, reducing the jet’s infrared signature and complicating detection by IRST systems increasingly fielded by Chinese, American, and Indian fighters.

The AL-51F-1 engines produce 110 kN of dry thrust and up to 180 kN with afterburner, enabling the Su-57E to supercruise at Mach 1.6 and achieve top speeds of Mach 2, placing it firmly in the upper tier of twin-engine stealth aircraft globally.

Although the new 2D nozzle reduces maximum thrust output by an estimated 5–10 percent, the trade-off is considered acceptable due to major improvements in stealth survivability and thermal management.

The protective debris-resistant intake screens highlighted in the model also demonstrate the engine’s ability to perform effectively in austere environments, which is particularly relevant for export customers in dusty or sandy regions.

The model quickly became one of the most photographed elements of the Russian pavilion, with military delegates and industry observers closely examining the nozzle’s geometry to assess its impact on stealth and maneuverability.

PERFORMANCE, AVIONICS, WEAPONS, AND THE SU-57E’S PLACE IN THE FIFTH-GENERATION AIR COMBAT ECOSYSTEM

The Su-57E’s aerodynamic and propulsion enhancements translate directly into world-class maneuverability, enabling the aircraft to perform advanced post-stall manoeuvres typical of Russia’s supermaneuverable design lineage.

During its Dubai demonstrations, pilot Sergei Bogdan is expected to execute high-angle-of-attack turns exceeding 60 degrees, violent flat spins, pedal manoeuvres, and mid-air opening of weapons bays, highlighting the aircraft’s fifth-generation performance envelope.

The leading-edge vortex controllers (LEVCONs) unique to the Su-57 family manipulate airflow over the wing roots, preventing stalls and granting unmatched control during post-stall manoeuvres not achievable by the F-22, F-35, or J-20.

Stealth characteristics include a radar cross-section estimated between 0.1 m² and 1 m², achieved through radar-absorbent composites, fuselage shaping, internal weapons carriage, S-duct intakes, and the new flat nozzles that reduce rear-aspect detectability.

The Su-57E’s sensor suite is built around the N036 Byelka AESA radar architecture featuring more than 1,500 active T/R modules, providing detection ranges up to 400 km and full 360-degree coverage via side-mounted arrays.

The 101KS Atoll electro-optical system offers IRST, laser warning, missile approach warning, and DIRCM functions, consolidating Russia’s emphasis on multispectral survivability in contested environments.

AI-driven data fusion integrates all sensors into a unified operational picture, enabling pilots to manage engagements within high-complexity, multi-domain scenarios characteristic of next-generation air warfare.

With an internal payload capacity exceeding 5,500 kg and a combat radius surpassing 1,500 km, the Su-57E can perform deep-strike missions, maritime interdiction roles, and long-range air dominance operations without compromising stealth.

The aircraft’s weapons compatibility includes the R-77M BVR missile, Kh-59MK2 long-range standoff missile, Kh-69 low-observable cruise missile, and optionally the Kinzhal hypersonic missile in external configurations.

Integration with the S-70 Okhotnik heavy stealth drone allows manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T), enabling the Su-57E to act as a command node controlling multiple wingman drones for reconnaissance, electronic attack, and high-risk strike operations.

At an export price estimated between USD 35–50 million (RM 165–237 million), the Su-57E offers an affordable entry into the fifth-generation market, significantly undercutting the F-35 (USD 80 million / RM 380 million) and the out-of-production F-22 (USD 150 million / RM 712 million).

This aggressive pricing strategy enhances Russia’s competitiveness as nations seek high-performance fighters without the financial constraints and political restrictions typical of Western procurement agreements.

(VIDEO) Russia’s Su-57 Felon Exposed: High-Resolution Image Reveals Secret Stealth Weapon Bays

GEO-STRATEGIC IMPACT AND THE FUTURE OF THE SU-57E IN ASIA AND THE MIDDLE EAST

The Su-57E’s Dubai debut arrives at a time when the Indo-Pacific is experiencing heightened strategic competition among major powers, creating a new demand cycle for advanced combat aircraft capable of operating in contested airspaces.

Malaysia and Indonesia, facing growing Chinese air and maritime assertiveness in the South China Sea, may consider the Su-57E as either a complement or alternative to expensive Western platforms like the Rafale and Eurofighter Typhoon.

Vietnam, confronted by China’s increasing deployment of J-20 stealth fighters near the South China Sea, may view the Su-57E’s long-range engagement capability and competitive pricing as attractive for balancing regional power.

India’s renewed interest in exploring the Su-57E as a technology infusion platform aligns with its broader ambition to maintain qualitative parity with China’s rapidly growing stealth fighter inventory.

In the Middle East, the UAE and Saudi Arabia are actively pursuing new-generation fighters beyond Western suppliers, making the Su-57E a potential candidate for future procurement diversification.

Russia’s export push also serves a political function by offering nations independence from U.S. ITAR restrictions, which often limit weapons integration, operational flexibility, and re-export rights.

The global appetite for non-Western fifth-generation fighters continues to rise as nations diversify their defence portfolios in response to sanctions, shifting alliances, and the need for autonomous strategic decision-making.

Dubai Airshow 2025 could serve as a launching pad for multiple export discussions, memoranda of understanding, and framework agreements as Russia seeks to expand its market across Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and potentially Latin America.

The inclusion of the detailed Su-57E 2D TVC model is a deliberate strategic tool designed to visually communicate Russia’s technological breakthroughs to potential customers evaluating advanced propulsion, stealth, and maneuverability.

In conclusion, the Su-57E’s combined aircraft and model display at Dubai Airshow 2025—highlighting the new 2D thrust-vectoring nozzle technology, advanced AL-51F-1 engines, improved stealth shaping, and deep-strike capability—marks a transformative moment for Russia’s role in the global fifth-generation fighter market.

As Asia and the Middle East navigate increasingly contested airspaces and geopolitical uncertainties, the Su-57E emerges as a disruptive, cost-efficient, and strategically independent option capable of reshaping the future balance of regional airpower.

Defence Security Asia will continue monitoring the Su-57E’s export trajectory because its technological advancements, operational promises, and expanding geopolitical relevance have the potential to redefine the air combat environment from 2025 onward. — DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA