Moscow deploys its next-generation stealth fighter jet to Syria

Russia has deployed several of its newest fifth-generation Sukhoi Su-57 stealth fighter aircraft to its airbase in Syria, according to Twitter user Wael Al Hussaini, who posted several photos and videos of the jets on Wednesday. He says he saw two Su-57s, four Su-35s, four Su-25s, and a Beriev A-50 early warning and control aircraft. The Russian Defense Ministry has not commented on the sightings.

What are these planes?

Sukhoi's internal name for the Su-57 is T-50. It is Russia’s first stealth jet, capable of sustained supersonic flight, super-maneuverability, and advanced avionics. Work on the aircraft started in 2002, and the first test stage wrapped up last year.

On February 8, Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov announced that Moscow would start testing the Su-57 in actual combat. Russia first deployed the Beriev A-50 to Syria in December 2017, after President Putin’s latest announcement that Russian troops are withdrawing from the war-torn country.