Supply shortages threaten production of Russia's Su‑57 fighter jets

Further production of the latest Russian Su-57 fighters may come into question. This process depends on the supply of Western microelectronics and specialised production equipment, and fewer such components are reaching Russia.

Analysts from the Frontelligence Insight group have published detailed information on what is causing the biggest headaches for the Russians. They reference documentation that leaked from the office of Russian military electronics manufacturer Mikropribor, which supplies, among others, plants belonging to the Almaz-Antey corporation. By analysing it, Frontelligence Insight analysts determined that Su-57 production could be in jeopardy due to the shortage of several key Western components.

It concerns primarily "MPPU-50 modules, which are an integral part of Su-57 production." The list of components that the Russians lack includes parts such as the WA36 suppressor, EA-PS 3150 and PLR7 60-12 power supplies, and a Siemens lathe (model KLE 360). In the cited correspondence, the Russians state that "these components are crucial to aircraft production, and supply issues could threaten the production of new Su-57 fighters."

The Russians have switched their economy to a wartime mode, and despite Western sanctions, they are producing more equipment than before the outbreak of war in Ukraine. They often successfully circumvent these sanctions, with Western components supplied by Russian intermediary companies purchasing them abroad.

According to a report prepared by the InformNapalm group, Russian Su-30SM aircraft are flying thanks to components manufactured in France. The investigation led to Kazakhstan, where some distributors of Western companies sold banned components to Russia.

Analysts from the Frontelligence Insight group noted that while Russian military production saw an increase in 2023 and 2024, indicating their ability to either smuggle crucial parts or source Chinese replacements to keep up production, efforts should be made to reduce these supplies, even if they cannot be completely stopped.

The Su-57 is a fifth-generation Russian fighter developed to compete with the American F-22 Raptor. It's dubbed Russia's most advanced aircraft and has recently started appearing over Ukraine. It can carry, among other things, modernised Kh-58 missiles that achieve very high speeds (up to 3.6 Mach). The fighter itself can reach speeds of up to approximately 2 Mach or over 2,400 km/h (nearly 1,500 mph). It can operate at altitudes up to 20,000 metres (about 65,600 feet).