Russia takes a risk by sending Su-57 fighters to Syria

Video and satellite images show that Russia has deployed at least four Su-57 stealth fighters to Syria, as the country's air force has intensified airstrikes on targets controlled by the Syrian opposition in Idlib and Eastern Ghouta provinces. Experts say the appearance of the Su-57 will help Moscow perfect this type of aircraft, but it is also a dangerous gamble as it is not yet combat-ready and can suffer damage from rebel attacks, according toWar Is Boring.

An anonymous source from the Russian Ministry of Defense said that the Su-57 squadron in Syria will not directly participate in combat, but only to test radar complexes and electronic warfare systems. The experimental prototypes of the Su-57 fighter use the 101KS Atoll and electro-optical sensors.Sh121 integrated multi-purpose radio-electronic complex (MIRES), including N036 Byelka radar and L402 Himalayas electronic warfare system.

Russia can use the Sh121 and 101KS complexes to receive identification signals of the F-22 stealth fighter that is also being deployed by the US in the Syrian sky, thereby developing solutions to detect this type of aircraft from a long distance, neutralizing its stealth advantage. In addition to testing in real conditions, the Su-57 squadron also contributes to promoting the power of Russian weapons, helping to attract orders from foreign customers.

However, military expert Tom Cooper said that the Su-57 program has been continuously delayed, causing these fighters to not be fully equipped with sensors as designed.

According to the original design, the N036 radar cluster on the Su-57 fighter includes the N036-1-01 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar mounted on the nose of the aircraft, along with 4 N036B-1-01 and N036L-1-01 radar clusters on the two sides and the leading edge of the wings of the Su-57 fighter.

However, by 2016, Tikhomirov Design Institute had only produced 7 N036 radar sets for installation on prototypes numbered T-50-3, T-50-4 and T-50-5. This batch of radars is said to be a limited edition, with only the clusterN036-1-01at the nose and lacking antennaeN036B-1-01 and N036L-1-01. In addition, the missiles have not been fully tested with the fire control system on the T-50 prototype.

The lack of radar clusters on the flanks and wingtips will seriously affect the purpose of testing the Sh121 and L402 complexes, as well as prevent the Russian Air Force from recording signals from US F-22 stealth fighters. On the contrary, the US can still spy on the basic combat characteristics of the Su-57 such as radar cross section (RCS), unless Russia installs RCS-enhancing equipment to hide the real parameters of the aircraft.

Another risk that could threaten the lives of pilots and Su-57 fighters is mortar attacks by Syrian rebels. Satellite images show that only one Su-57 at the Hmeymim base is deployed in a fortified area, while the other two are parked in an open parking lot next to the Su-35S squadron.

Syrian rebels carried out a daring raid on the Hmeymim base in late 2017, damaging several Russian aircraft there. The attack highlighted the dangers of surprise rebel attacks on Russian forces in Syria, especially on expensive vehicles deployed in open terrain.

Any damaged Su-57 prototype would be a major loss for the Russian military and would also cause the country to lose face in front of international partners. Therefore, deploying Su-57 fighters to Syria can be considered a risky gamble for Moscow at the present time, expert Cooper commented.