Two more Russian fifth generation Su-57 stealth fighters have arrived at Syria’s Hmeymim Airbase last week, Sputnik Arabic reported, referring to local media outlets.
Wael Al Hussaini tweeted that the Su-57s were escorted by Russian 4+ generation Sui-30SM multi-role fighter jets before landing at Hmeymim Airbase.
Earlier last week, Al Hussani reported about the deployment of the first two Su-57 fighters in Hmeymin, something that has yet to be confirmed by the Russian Defense Ministry.
Russian lawmaker Vladimir Gutenov told Sputnik that while he could not independently confirm the Su-57s’ deployment to Syria, he “whole-heartedly welcomed” the reports.
According to him, the presence of the Su-57s will doubtlessly send a political message, serving as a deterrent “for aircraft from neighboring states which periodically fly into” Syrian airspace uninvited.
In August 2017, Russian Aerospace Forces Commander Colonel General Viktor Bondarev said that the country’s fifth-generation fighter jet, formerly known as Prospective Airborne Complex of Frontline Aviation (PAK FA), or Sukhoi T-50, has officially been named the Su-57.
Designed for air superiority and attack roles, the Su-57 is fitted with a sophisticated avionics system capable of autonomous battlefield calculations, allowing it to assist the pilot.
Additionally, the plane is equipped with an active airborne phased array radar, which helps the Su-57 detect air, ground and naval targets at distances far beyond most modern systems.
Meanwhile, US Department of Defense spokesman Eric Pahon told reporters “the deployment of Russian Su-57 fighter jets in Syria poses no threat to the US-led coalition’s military operations and the United States will continue to deconflict operations with Russia as usual”.
“We do not consider these jets to be a threat to our operations in Syria, and will continue to deconflict operations as necessary,” Pahon said on Thursday.
Pahon said deployment of the SU-57 aircraft to Syria would not seem to be “in keeping with Russia's announced force drawdown
