Russia Confirms PAK FA Deployment to Syria

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu confirmed on Thursday that two T-50 PAK FA jets were deployed to Syria for testing

Responding to a question, Defense Minister Shoigu said, “Indeed, they were there for a while. Two days. During that time, they completed a program of trials, including combat ones. I can say that the trials were success and the planes returned home a week ago.”

It was not immediately possible to confirm whether the jets had returned to Russia. The jets were spotted last week arriving to the country.

“There were two planes escorted by flying laboratories and test beds monitoring the parameters of weapons work,” he said.

Defense Minister Shoigu dismissed satellite images appearing to show the two aircraft side-by-side at Hmeymim airbase, stating, “As for various satellite photos, I can state that now is not the year of 1995 and such planes are never located side by side. I am unaware where the released images were taken as the jets were kept in hangars throughout” their deployment.

The military designation of the T-50 PAK FA is Su-57. ImageSat International published imagery from February 23, 2018, appearing to show two PAK FA prototype jets next to each other at Hmeymim airbase.

Last month, Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov noted that the aircraft were entering combat trials.

Lead Analyst, Defense Markets and Strategic Analysis at Forecast International | + posts

Military markets analyst, covering Eurasia, Middle East, and Africa.

About Derek Bisaccio

Military markets analyst, covering Eurasia, Middle East, and Africa.

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