Kazakhstan's choice in favor of the Su-57E could turn from a routine purchase of combat aircraft into a test of Russia's positions in the Central Asian market.
Reports of a possible delivery of the first Russian fighters by August 2028 emerged against the backdrop of Astana's interest in the Chinese J-35. Therefore, it is no longer just about replacing outdated equipment, but about the competition between two manufacturers for a key customer in the region. However, neither Kazakhstan nor Russia has officially confirmed the conclusion and financing of the contract yet.
If the deal with the Su-57E goes through, Kazakhstan will become the first Central Asian country with a fifth-generation fighter. It is assumed that the Russian aircraft should replace part of the Su-27 fleet, and in the future, the issue of modernization may also affect the heavy MiG-31 interceptors. For Kazakhstan, this means a transition from Soviet and Russian aircraft of previous generations to a fundamentally different aviation system.
However, Moscow faces a serious risk factor – the Chinese J-35. If Kazakhstan is indeed comparing the two aircraft, the Russian Su-57E will have to compete not within the familiar Russian arms market, but with the Chinese offer, which Beijing is gradually promoting in Central Asian countries. For Astana, this provides an opportunity to choose a supplier and simultaneously reduce dependence on a single technological chain.
Read more on the topic:
- "Sluggish Production": Chinese J-35 Fighter Ousts Russian Su-57 in the Market
- The World's Least Detectable Fighters: Su-57 is Not the Leader
- Outpaced F-35 and J-20 in speed: Russian Su-57 fighter jet soared into the sky in 12 seconds