Su-57 stealth fighter jet in test flight: Russian AF photo

The Russian Ministry of Defence will hike its order for the Su-57 stealth fighter jets to 76 from an earlier 16 following a 20% price cut for the aircraft and equipment.

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced yesterday that 76 Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jets will be purchased for Russian Air Forces before 2028, a package contract will be inked in the near future.

"The 2028 arms program stipulated the purchase of 16 such jets," Putin in statements quoted by TASS and other Russian state media. However, Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu reported that manufacturers reduced prices for both the aircraft and the equipment by 20%, which provided the opportunity to purchase more of these jets. "We have agreed to purchase 76 such fighters without the increase in prices in the same period of time," Putin said.

"In the nearest future we will sign a package contract to supply 76 such jets equipped with modern weapons of destruction and provided with the necessary land infrastructure," Putin asserted.