Russian Air Force News & Discussion

Feanor said:

think there is 0 chance of Russia breaking into the global airliner market in any significant capacity. Russia failed to do so with the SSJ under much better circumstances. At best the Russian airliner industry will survive, serving domestic demand, and some government/military needs, with exports to a handful of client states.

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Yes I completely agree that chances for Russia doing alone to have meaningfull breakthrough on Global Market is close to zero. I also agree that if they can fullfill Russia own domestic and some small export to Global South is also the best situation for them can get.

The context that I talk more on Russia and China work together. China already facing supply chain problem especially from US. Euro and US will not going to let China become significant competitors if still relied to Western Supply Chain. They will not going to let Chinese EV and PHEV storm happening in Civilian Aerospace industry. China need to build their own supply chain like in other Industry. Working with Russia can help to reduce dependence to western supply chain.

Question will both of them want to reduce ego pride and agree on work share. Western push against both of them can push them to corner and see the options to work together is the only way to survive.

Ananda said:

Yes I completely agree that chances for Russia doing alone to have meaningfull breakthrough on Global Market is close to zero. I also agree that if they can fullfill Russia own domestic and some small export to Global South is also the best situation for them can get.

The context that I talk more on Russia and China work together. China already facing supply chain problem especially from US. Euro and US will not going to let China become significant competitors if still relied to Western Supply Chain. They will not going to let Chinese EV and PHEV storm happening in Civilian Aerospace industry. China need to build their own supply chain like in other Industry. Working with Russia can help to reduce dependence to western supply chain.

Question will both of them want to reduce ego pride and agree on work share. Western push against both of them can push them to corner and see the options to work together is the only way to survive.

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Russia could certainly serve as a parts producer for China. They used to produce parts for western aircraft. But I would be very surprised if it was Russian engines on Chinese jets.

The Yak-130M is a modernized version with more weapons and equipment which was unveiled in August 2024. The suite includes the BRLS-130R airborne radar, the SOLT-130K electro-optical/laser targeting system, the President-S130 self-protection suite, and the new KSS-130 communications link. This fit increases target detection range, improves weapons delivery accuracy, and strengthens resistance to electronic warfare. The podded defensive aids suite is intended to counter air- and surface-launched missile threats.
Including the modernization is also a new powerplant, the SM-100 engine, which is derived from the AI-222-25. The new engine delivers 20% higher thrust with no increase in weight or dimensions and doubles service life.

The first prototype is already assembled, is now undergoing ground tests and will be prepared for flight tests.


And the certification of the Il-114-300 is pushed back to 2026. Well, better a delay of one or more years, than rushing the certification and test process, with accidents and other problems as result.

The second Yak-130M prototype has been rolled out with Su-57 style paintjob.

And here we can see that the 2nd full domestic version of the Irkut MS-21-310 recently made its first flight.
Russia’s 2nd All-Domestic MC-21-310 Completes Maiden Flight in Irkutsk! - YouTube

Some videos of the Dubai Airshow 2025.
Here we have a closer look of the Su-57.

A nice flying display of the Su-57.

The Su-57 with opened weaponbays.


Sukhoi unveiled a refined unmanned Su-75 Checkmate fighter jet model at Dubai Airshow 2025, featuring a reworked wing and revised rear fuselage.

The Sukhoi Su-75 is intended to be available in one-seat, two-seat, and unmanned versions, allowing a single platform family to cover training, strike, and loyal wingman roles. So it seems this program isn't dead yet.
Russia unveils unmanned Su-75 Checkmate stealth fighter at Dubai Airshow 2025.

United Engine Corp show in Dubai airahow 177C engine as AL-31/41 replacement. The engine have similar diameter and length to AL-31/41 thus clearly also being marketed to present Flankers users if they want to switch engine.

Found this online, nice photo from Su-57 show the internal bay area, all four of them.

The VKS has received a new batch of Su-34M strike fighters, but it is unclear how many aircrafts this batch consists of.

UAC delivers new batch of Su-34 fighters to Russian Defense Ministry — Rostec

World’s Longest Ranged Fighters Delivered to Russian Air Force: Su-34M Maintains Surged Production Rates



A newly built Tu-214 recently arrived in Minsk to get painted, the construction of this Tu-214 seems to be started in 2023.

Update time.

There's evidence Russia has returned to fielding nuclear AA missiles. If true, we should expect a nuclear armed RVV-BD (R-37M), though it's also possible they reactivated old R-33s.


Russia has received a total of at least 7 batches of Su-35S fighters in 2025, numbering at least 14 planes (though reports indicate at least one batch had 3 planes). Su-34 production also continues, presumably in the updated Su-34M variant. The VKS have received at least 7 batches of Su-34s totaling at least 12 planes. Batches of aircraft handed over tend to be 2 or 3 aircraft.



Reportedly Russia's first line regiment is receiving Su-57s. Prior to this they were mainly used in training centers and testing centers. Allegedly this is the 23rd Fighter Rgt. As a bonus, links 5-6 give a look at the internal weapon bays of the Su-57. This comes as the first Su-57E were reportedly delivered to an export customer this year, that customer is almost certainly Algeria. And as the first Su-57 with the Izd. 177 engine (not to be confused with the Izd 117) takes flight. This is the second stage engines meant for the Su-57, sort of. The original second stage engine was the Izd. 30 and it was also tested previously but the program had gone quiet and we haven't heard anything about it for a while. This engine seems to be derived from the Izd 117 (though CAST speculates it's a simplified Izd. 30) and a version of it can be mounted on existing Flanker airframes.


The Yak-130M has begun trials with two prototypes produced and a third one being assembled.


An Su-35S was spotted carrying the new R-77M missile. Known also as the Izdelie-180 it's supposed to have a range of 190kms.


A new version of the UMPB D-30SN gliding munition has shown up, with a pre-cut fragmentation pattern on the outer body of the munition. One thing can be said about the war in Ukraine, it has forced Russia to rapidly re-evaluate and improve existing munitions, expanding them across platforms.


Russia is testing integrating drone interceptors on MiG-29SMT fighters. I think they're just the test-bed, and it's likely they will eventually spread to other fighters if successful.


Russia is also working on integrating the Lancet loitering munition on the Su-34. This is a logical choice as the Su-34 flying at a relatively high altitude can control the LM better than a ground-based operator, and it's already a two-seater aircraft.


Ukrainian sources report based on alleged leaked Russian documents that the VKS has started buying the new Izd. 506 (Kh-BD) long range cruise missile. Repotedly they're getting 16 regular and 16 nuclear-armed ones, suggesting it's a Kh-101 follow-on design. Reportedly they're meant to be carried by Tu-160s and are a longer range version of the Kh-101.


Reportedly Russia is cancelling the A-100 project for good. Instead we're potentially going to see an "A-50M". What this means is unclear. Currently the VVS operate 6 A-50Us, upgraded at the snail's pace of one plane every 2 years. Maybe they intend to put the radar and equipment of the A-50U on new airframes, possibly even with some incremental improvements. Overall this isn't good news, even the stated characteristics of the A-100 put it well behind modern western AEW.


A new Russian light helo, the AP-55 was demonstrated. It's currently flying with Rolls Royce engines, but presumably is intended to eventually carry the domestic VK-650. The VK-650 itself is currently in trials on the Ansat helo.


Despite the existence of the Mi-38 as an Mi-8 replacement, another Mi-8 replacement project is being pushed, the Mi-80. Personally I'm skeptical. On the one hand existing upgraded Mi-8 variants are still effective and popular on the market, on the other hand it's not clear how well this can proceed with the ongoing war and priorities. Meanwhile 3 export Mi-38T helos were delviered to Myanmar, bringing the total produced to 15 aircraft, since 2019.


Il-76 production continues with another aircraft delivered.


The LMS Baykal program continues, flying with a domestic engine now. This is a government-driven project to get an An-2 replacement, largely for government needs. The obvious and commercially successful alternative, the TVS-2DT, is for some reason not being considered despite being in production both as new airframes and as reworking of old An-2s for commercial customers. It's interesting that SibNIA, the entity responsibly for the TVS-2 in all it's variants, is also involved in this project, namely as the testers for the VK-800S engine meant for the LMS Baykal. It's plausible they intend to use the engine themselves eventually.


It's interesting that despite all the work already being done by other players, another company has entered the An-2 upgrade market, with a plane called the TV-2, an An-2 without it's botton wing, and with a new engine. They've developed variants with imported Czech engines, and various adapted domestic engines, including one with a Kamaz engine, and another with twin ZMZ-409 car engines. But their main line of development is the helicopter TV-117 engine.


The UTS-800 training plane program continues at the Ural Civil Aviation Factory. It's a localized version of the Diamond Aviation DART. All prototype are currently flying on imported engines, though a domestic replacement is planned. Of course engine problems buried the Yak-152.

Construction of hardened air shelters continues. Here we have Khalino airbase, Kursk region, Saki airbase in Crimea, and Akhtyubinsk airbase in Astrakhan' region. At Saki even the hangars for Orion-S UCAVs are apparently hardened. Reportedly the Khalino airbase houses Orion-S drones that are firing the new Banderol' missiles into Ukraine.


In Primorsko-Akhtarsk we have a look at a Russian drone-port. They have their own shelters for protection and multiple launch points.


Russia is expanding the Engel's airbase with additional parking spots and other infrastructure. It's unclear why this is being done, as Russia is only producing very small quantities of new Tu-160Ms and this base typically houses strategic bombers. But some sources indicate it will now house some Su-34 and Su-35 fighters too.


At the Rosvertol facility we have drone-defense structures covering helos, but not actual HAS.


Reportedly Almaz-Antey has expanded production of S-400 and S-350 systems. The latter is still rarely seen, and often with incomplete combat loads. We also reports of the first S-500 regiment entering service with an air-defense/BMD division formed, likely mixing the S-400 and S-500. This new unit may be deployed in Crimea, as we saw the Enisey radar from an S-500 there get hit by a Ukrainian drone.


Russia has reportedly received their first Pantsyr-SMD variants along with another batch of Pantsyr-S1. This some sort of upgraded variant of the Pantsyr that includes a dismounted static option as well as a truck-mounted one. Note we saw Russia building AA towers and hoisting truck-mounted Pantsyrs on them with cranes, it's likely the static ones will replace them. Another point of interest, the previous upgraded Pantsyr variant displayed and reportedly accepted for service was the Pantsyr-SM. It's possible the SMD is the static variant of the SM, especially since all displayed models and prototypes labeled SMD are the static variant.


Reportedly the "mini-missiles" for the Pantsyr SAM are finally in service. They load 4 tubes in place of each one regular missile tube. In theory this means a single TELAR can carry 48 missiles. It's unclear if these are in service with all the Pantsyr variants or only the SMD variant.


The VKS continue to receive Vikhr-1 ATGMs from the Kalashnikov concern. The type has essentially pushed out the Ataka for helicopter use.


The Kazan aircraft factory is expanding with new facilities. They produce the Tu-160M, service and upgrade the Tu-22M3, and produce the Tu-214. I suspect the last aircraft is the reason for the expansion.


A domesticated MS-21 jet has finally taken it's maiden flight, with PD-14 engines. Problems with domestic aviation production have kept the venerable Tu-204 family as the mainstay of special-purpose aircraft for the Russian government and even partially the military (like the Tu-214R). This comes as the first fully localized Tu-214 was rolled out. Yes, the Soviet era (late Soviet era) Tu-214 still contained imported components in Russian production until just now. 5 more aircraft are in production.


There are reports that Kronstadt, the manufacturer of the Orion-S UCAV, is facing bankrupcy. It's unclear what's causing this though they are being sued. However they appear to be suffering financial losses regardless of the lawsuit.