Rostec to Showcase Su-57E Fighter at Defence Services Asia 2026

Russia's state-owned defense conglomerate Rostec will showcase the Su-57E fighter jet at the Defence Services Asia 2026 exhibition in Malaysia, with plans to supply the aircraft to trusted partners only. This development comes as Russia continues to promote its latest military hardware to potential foreign buyers, despite facing global sanctions pressure over its export of stealth fighter jets. The Su-57E is the export version of the Su-57 Felon, a fifth-generation stealth fighter that has been touted for its advanced capabilities, including radar evasion and electronic warfare capabilities.

The Defence Services Asia exhibition is one of the largest arms and military equipment shows in the world, providing a platform for defense manufacturers to showcase their latest products to a global audience. Rostec's decision to showcase the Su-57E at the exhibition suggests that the company is confident in the aircraft's capabilities and is seeking to attract new customers. The fact that Russia is only willing to supply the Su-57E to trusted partners implies that the country is being selective about who it sells the aircraft to, likely due to concerns about the potential for technology transfer or the risk of the aircraft falling into the wrong hands.

The Su-57E has already generated significant interest from foreign buyers, with several countries reportedly signing contracts for the aircraft. The exact identity of these countries has not been disclosed, but it is clear that Russia is seeking to expand its exports of the Su-57E to a range of nations. The United States has issued warnings to some countries over their plans to acquire the Su-57E, citing concerns about the potential for sanctions under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act. Despite these warnings, Russia appears to be pushing ahead with its plans to export the Su-57E, and the aircraft's appearance at the Defence Services Asia exhibition is likely to generate significant attention.

From a Gulf perspective, the appearance of the Su-57E at the Defence Services Asia exhibition is likely to be watched with interest, given the region's ongoing military modernization efforts. Several Gulf states have been investing heavily in their air forces in recent years, and the Su-57E could potentially be seen as an attractive option for those looking to acquire an advanced stealth fighter jet. However, the sanctions pressure facing Russia over its export of the Su-57E could make it difficult for Gulf states to acquire the aircraft, and it remains to be seen whether any countries in the region will ultimately decide to purchase the Su-57E.