Russia Arms Su-57 Stealth Fighter with Hypersonic Weapons, Says Military Official

Russia’s Su-57 “Felon” stealth fighter has reportedly been equipped with hypersonic weapons, according to a top military official.

In an interview with the state-owned Krasnaya Zvezda newspaper, Lieutenant General Alexander Maksimtsev—Chief of the Main Staff and First Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Aerospace Forces—confirmed that the fifth-generation Su-57 is now outfitted with “modern aviation strike systems and hypersonic weapons.”

Maksimtsev emphasized that under the state defense procurement program, the Russian Aerospace Forces are steadily receiving upgraded weapon systems, including an increasing number of Su-57 jets. However, he did not name the specific hypersonic weapon integrated into the aircraft.

His remarks have renewed speculation over longstanding efforts to develop air-launched hypersonic missiles compatible with the Su-57’s internal weapons bays.

Earlier reports from Russian defense industry insiders suggested the existence of a new, compact hypersonic air-to-surface missile designed specifically for internal carriage by the Su-57. In February 2023, the state-run TASS news agency revealed that a prototype of this missile had already been developed.

Speculation dates back to 2018, when sources linked to the defense sector suggested the Su-57 might eventually be armed with a variant of the Kh-47M2 Kinzhal (“Dagger”) hypersonic missile—a system currently launched from modified MiG-31K fighters. The Kinzhal boasts speeds exceeding Mach 10 and a range of up to 2,000 kilometers, derived from the ground-based Iskander ballistic missile platform.

Though there’s no official confirmation that the Kinzhal is certified for use on the Su-57, retired Air Force Major General Vladimir Popov has stated that such integration is technically possible—though structural changes to the fighter would be necessary to accommodate the missile’s size and weight.

Developed by Sukhoi and built by United Aircraft Corporation, the Su-57 is Russia’s answer to American fifth-generation fighters like the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II. Despite delays and slow production rates, Moscow continues to position the Su-57 as the foundation of its next-generation tactical airpower.

If successfully armed with hypersonic weapons, the Su-57 would represent a rare combination of stealth and hypersonic strike capability—a pairing few nations have achieved.

Nonetheless, Western analysts remain skeptical, citing Russia’s limited Su-57 fleet, ongoing engine and sensor development issues, and the aircraft’s sparse use in combat operations over Ukraine.

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