Su-57 Costs and Russian Aerospace Strategy in 2020s

The 2020 price tag for the Russian Su-57 fighter jet stood at 4.7 billion rubles, a figure disclosed during an August 2020 briefing at the KnAAZ plant in Komsomolsk-on-Amur by Sergei Shoigu, then head of the Russian Ministry of Defense. The revelation sparked questions about what exactly was included in that price and what was left out, with journalists noting that development work and pre-production costs were not part of the sum and would require separate accounting and careful clarification. The discussion highlighted how early cost estimates often omit ongoing research, testing, and early industrial ramp-up, which can significantly affect total program expenditure over time (Source: Defense Ministry briefing, August 2020).