Source: The Diplomat
By Franz-Stefan Gady
The Russian Ministry of Defense (MOD) is expected to sign a contract for a pre-production batch of 12 Sukhoi Su-57 fighter aircraft, Russia’s first indigenously designed and built fifth-generation stealth fighter jet, with United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), a major Russian aerospace and defense company, this week, according to the head of UAC Yuri Slyusar.
“By the end of the summer, I think probably at (…) Patriot Park, we will sign contracts for the first batch with the defense ministry. Regular supplies will start next year,” Slyusar was quoted as saying by TASS news agency. Patriot Park refers to the venue of the 2018 Army Forum, an annual event organized by the Russian MoD to showcase Russian-made military hardware taking place from August 21 to 26 in Moscow.
The Russian MoD first announced in February that it would conclude an agreement for the procurement of an initial batch of Su-57s with UAC by the end of the year. “We are buying Su-57 jets for test combat use. First stage state trials are over,” the Russian deputy defense minister said at the time. “This year, we will sign a contract for the first batch of 12 Su-57 fighter jets for the Armed Forces.”
Read more at: https://thediplomat.com/2018/08/russias-defense-ministry-to-ink-contract-for-12-su-57-stealth-fighters-soon/