clear

Creating new perspectives since 2009

Russia sends 2 stealth fighter jets to Syria

February 23, 2018 at 10:29 am

Fighter jets seen at Russia’s airbase in Syria, 8 January 2018 [Sputnik]

Russia has sent two stealth fighter jets to Syria; military sources revealed.

“Two Su-57 stealth fighters have joined the Russian air force operating in Syria,” Russian Interfax news agency quoted unnamed military sources as saying, adding that the two fighters will be tested “in the field”.

Russian reports earlier revealed that the Sukhoi 57 and Sukhoi 35 fighter jets, as well as four A-50 spy planes will arrive in the Russian air base of Khmeimim near Syria’s Latakia.

Su-57 is a multi-mission aircraft belonging to the fifth generation of stealth fighters. The fighter was tested for the first time in 2010.

Read: Russia bombs seventh hospital in Syria in 2 weeks

Russian officials have previously admitted to joining the war alongside the Syrian regime was partly aimed at testing new weapons in the field.

In March 2016, Russian President Vladimir Putin told returning soldiers that one of his most motives for intervening in Syria was to “test Russian weapons in a real war instead of experimenting with training exercises and educational courses”.

In October 2016, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoygu said that it was necessary to take into account the Syrian experience during the manufacture of new weapons, adding that the Russian forces supporting the Syrian regime will use new weapons for the first time.