Russian Su-57 Outclasses France’s Rafale, MWM Says
Military Watch Magazine says Russia’s Su-57, Su-35S and Su-30SM surpass France’s Rafale in radar power, range, weapons load and flight performance.
Russian combat aircraft significantly outperform France’s Rafale fighters, whose possible transfer to Ukraine was previously discussed, Military Watch Magazine concluded after comparing the capabilities of the jets.
The publication focused in particular on Russia’s Su-57. According to its assessment, the fifth-generation fighter combines low observability with an advanced radar system, a large fuel capacity and the ability to carry heavier weapons.
Military Watch Magazine also pointed to major advantages held by the Su-35S and Su-30SM. Their radar systems are several times more powerful than those installed on the Rafale. The Russian aircraft also have a longer combat radius, can engage targets from greater distances and deliver stronger flight performance.
At the same time, the magazine acknowledged that Rafale fighters in Ukrainian service would create more serious difficulties for the Russian Aerospace Forces than the aircraft currently operated by Kiev. The publication described Ukraine’s fleet of F-16s, MiG-29s, Mirage 2000s and Su-27s as largely outdated.
Russian President Vladimir Putin previously described the Su-57 as the world’s best fighter, arguing that no other combat aircraft in its class can match its capabilities.
The Su-57 is a Russian fifth-generation multirole fighter designed to destroy aerial, ground and naval targets. It can maintain supersonic flight for extended periods without using afterburners, while its weapons are carried inside internal bays.
Its reduced visibility is also supported by a special radar-absorbing coating and an advanced suite of onboard systems. Many operations are automated, with the aircraft’s electronics assisting the pilot in controlling the jet and preparing its weapons for use.