politics

The Russian news agency TASS reports that, considering the numerous challenges Russia has faced in operationalizing its fifth-generation fighter jet, the Su-57, many military commanders are advocating for Russia to join China's sixth-generation fighter program.

Leaving aside whether the Chinese would even agree to such cooperation, it’s worth noting that just a decade ago, Russia was at odds with China over the production of a domestic version of the Su-27, known as the J-11, and refused to sell them the Su-35. Yet now, China has nearly 300 fifth-generation fighters, while the number produced in Russia doesn’t even reach 50. Now, Russia is contemplating collaboration with the same Chinese on its next-generation fighter.