The Russians demonstrated the exceptional range of the fifth-generation fighter in Egypt
Egypt, September 17, 2026 – An export version of the Russian Su-57E fighter jet flew to the El Alamein International Exhibition in Egypt with fuel tanks located in the cargo holds. According to the state corporation Rostech, this allowed the aircraft to do without conventional external tanks while maintaining the aerodynamic scheme of the machine – which was an important argument for exporting the fighter.
The air show took place in El Alamein from September 8 to 10. According to the state corporation, the flight took place with one stopover. Upon arrival, the plane had about a thousand kilometers of fuel. Rostech clarified that this reserve is enough for a demonstration flight the next day; The company compared its fuel consumption to a full-fledged air duel. It was this episode that became the basis for the statement about the “exceptional” range of the Su-57E and its length in the air.
Removable tanks are located inside the aircraft, not under the wing or fuselage. For fifth-generation fighters, this is crucial: the external suspension impairs aerodynamics, while the internal fuel location provides more range without such compromises. Rostech described the Su-57E as unrivaled among operational-tactical aircraft in terms of combat radius and time in the air. The demonstration in Egypt was the first foreign demonstration of the export Su-57E. And the flight was part of the presentation of his skills to potential foreign customers.
