Russian fighter jet programmes have always been advanced, especially Sukhoi aircraft. The Sukhoi aircraft have troubled the United States since the Soviet era. Now, the West is trying to destroy Russia’s stealth fighter jet programme through targeted sanctions.
European countries and the United States still fear Russian stealth fighter jets such as the Su-35 and Su-57, and this is the reason the West wants to create obstacles for Russia’s aircraft development programmes by disrupting the supply chains.
A report released by Britain’s Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) revealed that the supply chain for Sukhoi fighter jets could be destroyed through sanctions. The report comes on the heels of the Dubai Airshow, where the Russian state-owned aerospace company Rostec is preparing to launch a large-scale military sales campaign, including the display of the Su-57 stealth fighter jet.
Is the West targeting Russia’s fighter jet program?
Rostec is also going to display the Yakovlev Yak-130M advanced jet trainer and the Kamov Ka-52 attack helicopter at the Dubai Airshow. Rostec’s presence in Dubai comes amid Russia’s engagement in the ongoing war with Ukraine, where the country is targeting government infrastructure and residential areas.
According to reports, the West is trying to impose sanctions on the second- and third-tier suppliers in the Sukhoi supply chain. If this happens, it would stall the production of Sukhoi aircraft, and the West could highlight this to customers who depend on Russia’s exports for stealth fighter jets. European nations and the US want to convey the message that if any country purchases aircraft from Russia, they may face problems in the future regarding aircraft maintenance and components.
The RUSI report says that several critical components and high-technology tests used in the manufacturing of Sukhoi fighter jets still depend on Western technology. These include high-precision machining tools, electronic calibration systems, and software-based testing platforms, which Russia used to purchase directly before 2022. Even after the sanctions, these tools have been made available to Russia through countries like Kazakhstan, the UAE, and especially China.
The report also states that although Russia has increased its domestic production, it is forced to spend massive amounts on manufacturing these aircraft.
