Sukhoi is spending too much on developing the Russian Regional Jet (RRJ) instead of backing advanced military programmes, says Russian air force commander Gen Vladimir Mikhailov.

“There are some problems with funding for the fifth-generation fighter, but they to a lesser extent apply to the defence ministry rather than to Sukhoi,” Mikhailov says. “In parallel, Sukhoi is working on the civilian RRJ, which needs much money. They have taken some funds that might otherwise have gone to the combat aircraft and put them into the RRJ, hence the financial problems.”

Nevertheless, Mikhailov says work on Sukhoi’s T-50 next-generation fighter project is “generally on track”, with the airframe’s configuration now having been frozen. A prototype of the aircraft – selected to meet the air force’s fifth-generation fighter requirement – is expected to fly next year, he says.

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