Egozi: Stealth Fighter Aircraft on Both Sides of Border for First Time

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By Arie Egozi

This is a unique and unprecedented situation that will, without any doubt, attract many experts to both sides of the Israeli-Syrian border. Since last week, the two most advanced stealth fighter aircraft in the world are operational on both sides of the border, practically within the same airspace.

Israeli sources said that Russia has turned Syria to a huge test laboratory for its most advanced weapon systems. This is a unique opportunity for the experts to evaluate the capabilities of both aircraft.

On February 24, an Israeli imaging satellite revealed images of Russia’s deployment of its Sukhoi Su-57 stealth planes for the first time.

ISI, the Israeli company that operates the Eros imaging satellites said in a statement that their Eros B satellite spotted two Su-57 at the Khmeimim air base, in the Syrian coastal province of Latakia, serving as the main hub for Russian operations in Syria.  

Israeli experts say that the Russian aircraft was probably flown to Syria to test it in a “real combat area.”

The Su-57 is considered a “fifth generation” aircraft, a class that includes the F-22 and the F-35, which was procured by Israel, to which the Russian plane is supposed to be a response to.

Russian Deputy Defense Minister Yuriy Borisov said in an interview in early February that the Su-57 had concluded the first trial stage, and noted that combat trials would proceed according to schedule.

On February 22, Russian news outlets carried pictures of a pair of Su-57 fighters getting ready to land at the Khmeimim air base. An early warning A-50 plane, four Su-35 fighters, and four Su-25 ground attack jets also arrived at the base on February 21.

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, a total of 12 Su-57s were initially ordered by Moscow and the jets were scheduled to be introduced to Russian forces this year.

Editor-in-Chief, iHLS