Russia to Showcase Su-57E at Vietnam Defense Show – Even as Moscow has only managed to produce a handful of its Sukhoi Su-57 aircraft for its own military, Russia has continued to promote export sales – likely to help subsidize the costs of the “fifth-generation” multirole stealth fighter. So far, the orders haven’t exactly been lining up, no doubt due to the fact that the Kremlin has primarily not employed the aircraft in Ukraine, and thus it remains largely an unproven platform.
Su-57 Stealth Fighters for Sale
However, Russia’s arms seller Rosoboronexport – a subsidiary of the state-owned tech conglomerate Rostec, announced on Monday that it will exhibit the Su-57E export version of the fifth-generation fighter jet at the Vietnam Defense 2022 show that will be held in Hanoi on December 8-10, Tass reported.
The export model of the Su-57 (NATO reporting name “Felon”) was first unveiled at Russia’s Army-2020 International Military and Technical Forum in August 2020.
It is just one of several platforms that will be in the spotlight at the trade show in the Vietnamese capital.
“The single Russian exposition will include more than 400 military, civilian and dual-use products developed and manufactured by leading Russian enterprises, including those affiliated with Rostec,” the Rosobornexport press office said in a statement.
The Russian defense contractor routinely presents its latest hardware at such trade events around the world. Just last month, a number of Russian military platforms were on display at the Airshow China 2022.
A Range of Russian Hardware
Moscow is apparently pulling out all the stops for the upcoming defense trade show, and Rosoboronexport will reportedly exhibit a full-scale model of the Orlan-10E unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), as well as a family of Russian-made unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), including the Orlan-30, a new product for 2022, the Orion-E reconnaissance/strike unmanned aircraft system and the Kub-E loitering munition.
Attendees will also be able to view not only the Su-57E, but also Su-35 and Su-30SME supermaneuverable fighters, an Il-76MD-90A(E) military transport aircraft, a Ka-52 scout/attack helicopter, a Mi-171Sh military transport helicopter, and a Ka-28 shipborne anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopter.
In addition, Rosoboronexport will exhibit its Buk and Tor surface-to-air missile systems, the Pantsyr-S1 self-propelled anti-aircraft missile/gun system, Verba and Igla-S man-portable air defense systems suitable for building up air defenses at various levels. Electronic warfare assets, including those designed to counter various unmanned aerial vehicles, will also be on exhibited at the Asian military show.
Beyond Su-57: Armor Rolling In
Though Russia isn’t offering its T-14 Armata tank at the upcoming show, Moscow will present the T-90S and T-90MS main battle tanks, as well as the Terminator tank support fighting vehicle, the TOS-1A heavy flamethrower system, and the upgraded Msta-S self-propelled howitzer, as well as the Khrizantema and Kornet-EM anti-tank missile systems.
“Rosoboronexport partners from Southeast Asia are expected to pay increased attention to the Sprut-SDM1 light amphibious tank and BT-3F and BTR-82A armored personnel carriers (APCs), which have excellent capabilities to clear water obstacles,” the press office also announced.
Small arms from the Kalashnikov Group will include the AK-200 family of assault rifles, the AK-15, and AK-19 automatic guns, along with the latest 9mm PPK-20 submachine gun, the Chukavin semi-automatic sniper rifle, and the 9mm Lebedev pistol.
“Russia and Vietnam build their relations based on long-standing traditions of friendship and mutual respect. Rosoboronexport supports the development of bilateral strategic partnership and makes every effort to strengthen military-technical cooperation between our countries,” said Rosoboronexport CEO Alexander Mikheyev.
Beyond Hardware Sales
Moscow is apparently hoping to build bridges with Hanoi at this week’s Vietnam Defense 2022 show. The Rosoboronexport delegation will discuss cooperation in the field of industrial partnership and the construction of infrastructure facilities with its Southeast Asian partners.
“We have unique competencies in this area and our proposals are backed by successfully completed and functioning projects on the customers’ territories,” said Rosoboronexport CEO Alexander Mikheyev.
The unanswered question is whether Hanoi or any other regional powers will continue to put their trust in Russian hardware given how it has performed in Ukraine.
A Senior Editor for 19FortyFive, Peter Suciu is a Michigan-based writer. He has contributed to more than four dozen magazines, newspapers, and websites with over 3,000 published pieces over a twenty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu.
