13 May 2022, 13:13
Despite Ukraine/sanctions etc, I still think they make a go of it.
National vanity project, Vlad won't let it die. Unless maybe he does, but I still think it'll somehow survive. Look how long they took to get the Flanker right. OK, it's not performing well in Ukraine - but a lot of that is poor planning/leadership. The SU-35 (despite being shot down via ground fire) is still a respectable machine. According to Ukranian Mig-29 pilot "Juice", it still commands their respect.
So even if they just field 50, it'll still be a program of record. Likely the least produced/feared of all wanna be 5th gens, but they've got over a decade now sunk into it. The SU-75 will never materialize, not after Ukraine. The SU-57 is the only solution... much like the F-35 is for Western airpower.
That, and the new engine for it will continue to be developed IMO...