Russian stealth fighter Su-57 lands in China ahead of airshow debut

A Russian Sukhoi Su-57 stealth fighter jet touched down in Taiyuan, Shanxi province, on Sunday afternoon, marking its first arrival in China ahead of a scheduled debut at a major Chinese airshow.

The Su-57 landed at Taiyuan airport at 2:20 pm local time, where Chinese reporters and aviation enthusiasts gathered to capture its arrival. Sources close to the matter say the Russian aircraft will be showcased at the upcoming 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, set for Nov 12-17 in Zhuhai, Guangdong province.

Known as the Zhuhai Airshow, the biennial event is China's largest arms show and is recognized as one of the world's most significant defense exhibitions.

The Su-57's arrival marks the first time a foreign stealth aircraft has landed in China, which has already deployed its own radar-evading jet, the J-20, and is expected to soon commission a second stealth model, the J-35.

The Su-57, previously known as the Sukhoi T-50, is Russia's first fifth-generation fighter jet. The single-seat, twin-engine aircraft is designed for both air superiority and attack missions and is equipped with advanced weapons, avionics, and radar systems, according to Russian aviation experts.

The aircraft had its maiden flight in January 2010, entered mass production in July 2019, and began delivery to the Russian air force in January 2021.