Vietnam Prepares Su-57 Stealth Fighter Procurement for 2030s to Anchor South China Sea Defense

Vietnam plans to procure 12-24 Russian Su-57 stealth fighters by the early 2030s to replace aging Su-22 and Su-27 jets and secure the South China Sea.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 23, 2026, 12:30 PM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Military Watch Magazine

The Strategic Shift to Fifth-Generation Stealth

The Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense has signaled a definitive commitment to procuring the Russian Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jet, with deliveries anticipated to begin in the early 2030s. This move follows nearly a decade of local reporting, originating as early as 2017, regarding Hanoi’s intent to secure between 12 and 24 units of the "Felon" to form two elite frontline squadrons. The acquisition is framed as a critical leap from legacy Soviet-era hardware toward a network-centric warfare doctrine. By integrating the Su-57’s advanced stealth and sensor fusion, Vietnam seeks to address the growing obsolescence of its current air wing against regional fifth-generation platforms such as the Chinese J-20 and American F-35.

Replacing a Legacy Fleet Under Modern Pressure

The primary objective of the Su-57 procurement is the phased replacement of approximately 30 Su-22 third-generation strike fighters and 12 early-model Su-27 air superiority jets. While the Su-30MK2 currently serves as the backbone of the Vietnam People's Air Force (VPAF), it is increasingly outmatched by advanced "4++" and fifth-generation threats. The Su-57’s operational range is uniquely suited to Vietnam’s geography, allowing for sustained patrols over disputed maritime territories in the South China Sea from inland bases. Furthermore, the aircraft’s design aims to maintain life-cycle costs comparable to the Su-30 family, offering a high-performance modernization path without the prohibitive sustainment burdens typical of Western stealth platforms.

Integration and Combat-Proven Appeal

Hanoi’s continued reliance on Russian aviation stems from the Su-57’s seamless compatibility with Vietnam’s existing S-400 ground-based air defenses and naval data links. Unlike Western alternatives, which often carry strict operational and political caveats, the Su-57 offers Vietnam high levels of operational autonomy. The aircraft's appeal has been further solidified by its extensive high-intensity combat testing in the Ukrainian theater, which included missions involving air defense suppression, air-to-air combat, and precision strikes in heavily contested environments. This "battle-proven" status is a key factor cited by Russian state exporter Rosoboronexport, which confirmed in April 2026 that multiple countries have placed new orders for the ex...