Is the F-35 better than the Su-57?

In most categories such as stealth, sensor fusion, and battlefield integration, the F-35 is considered superior. However, the Su-57 excels in speed and maneuverability.

How many Su-57 jets does Russia have?

As of 2025, Russia has fewer than 30 operational Su-57 jets due to production and budgetary constraints.

Can the Su-57 detect the F-35?

With its infrared search-and-track (IRST) system, the Su-57 might detect the F-35 at closer ranges, but the F-35's superior stealth makes long-range detection difficult.

Which countries operate the F-35?

Countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, Israel, Italy, and South Korea are current operators of the F-35.

Is the Su-57 in active combat use?

The Su-57 has had limited deployment in Syria for testing, but it hasn’t seen full-scale combat use like the F-35.

F-35 vs Su-57: Who Rules the Skies in 2025?

Diperbarui: 12 Apr, 2025 • 0 • menit membaca

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Image description:F-35 vs Su-57

The clash between the U.S. F-35 Lightning II and Russia’s Su-57 Felon has captured global military attention. Both are fifth-generation stealth fighters, but their development philosophies, capabilities, and battlefield applications are vastly different. As we enter 2025, it’s crucial to understand how these jets truly stack up.

1. Design Philosophy: East vs. West

The F-35, developed by Lockheed Martin, was built around multirole versatility and data fusion. It integrates advanced sensors and stealth with a digital pilot-centric interface. On the other hand, the Su-57, developed by Sukhoi, emphasizes speed, maneuverability, and supercruise — with stealth being secondary.

2. Stealth Capabilities

The F-35 boasts industry-leading stealth, especially in the frontal aspect. Its radar cross-section is estimated to be as low as 0.005 m². In contrast, the Su-57 uses stealth shaping but lacks the same coating technology and internal configuration. Analysts believe the Su-57 has a radar cross-section closer to 0.1–0.5 m².

3. Avionics and Sensor Suite

The F-35’s sensor fusion is unmatched. Its AN/APG-81 AESA radar, Distributed Aperture System (DAS), and Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS) allow pilots to see and engage threats beyond visual range. The Su-57 features the N036 Byelka AESA radar and infrared search-and-track (IRST), which provides passive detection but lacks fusion sophistication.

4. Weapons and Armament

F-35 can carry 18,000 pounds of ordnance, including AIM-120 AMRAAMs, JDAMs, and laser-guided bombs. The Su-57 can carry a mix of R-77 and R-74 missiles, along with new hypersonic developments. However, many of the Su-57’s weapons are still in testing.

5. Maneuverability and Flight Performance

The Su-57 shines in kinematics. It can supercruise at Mach 1.6 and has 3D thrust vectoring, giving it agility in dogfights. The F-35, while no slouch, is subsonic in stealth configuration and prioritizes sensor-based first-shot kills over maneuver warfare.

6. Production and Operational Status

As of 2025, over 980 F-35s are in service with multiple NATO countries. In contrast, fewer than 30 Su-57s are active, and mass production is still struggling. This has limited Russia’s ability to test the jet in real combat scenarios.

7. Combat Experience and Deployment

The F-35 has been used in various operations, including in Syria, Iraq, and joint NATO exercises. The Su-57 had limited deployment in Syria, primarily for sensor testing. The lack of operational maturity gives the F-35 a significant edge.

8. Cost and Export

The F-35A costs around $80 million per unit. It has strong export success with customers like Japan, South Korea, Israel, and Poland. The Su-57's cost remains unclear, and export prospects (e.g., India, Algeria) have faced delays or cancellations.

9. Logistics and Maintenance

One of the F-35’s weak spots is its maintenance complexity. ALIS (Autonomic Logistics Information System) faced criticism, though replaced by ODIN in recent upgrades. The Su-57 is still developing its maintenance doctrine, and logistical reliability is unknown.

10. Final Verdict: Who Rules the Skies?

While the Su-57 brings impressive raw performance, the F-35 wins in stealth, sensor fusion, operational maturity, and multirole flexibility. In a modern battlefield where information dominance trumps maneuverability, the F-35 stands as the superior platform — at least for now.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is the F-35 better than the Su-57?: In most categories such as stealth, sensor fusion, and battlefield integration, the F-35 is considered superior. However, the Su-57 excels in speed and maneuverability.
How many Su-57 jets does Russia have?: As of 2025, Russia has fewer than 30 operational Su-57 jets due to production and budgetary constraints.
Can the Su-57 detect the F-35?: With its infrared search-and-track (IRST) system, the Su-57 might detect the F-35 at closer ranges, but the F-35's superior stealth makes long-range detection difficult.
Which countries operate the F-35?: Countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, Israel, Italy, and South Korea are current operators of the F-35.
Is the Su-57 in active combat use?: The Su-57 has had limited deployment in Syria for testing, but it hasn’t seen full-scale combat use like the F-35.

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