Russian fighter used removable fuel tanks installed in compartments normally intended for weapons, avoiding external tanks during the ferry flight to Egypt; figures released by Rostec have not yet been independently verified
The Russian Su-57E fighter completed its ferry flight to the El Alamein International Airshow 2026 in Egypt using additional fuel tanks installed inside its internal weapons bays instead of the conventional external tanks typically used by fighter aircraft on long-distance flights.
According to Rostec, the Russian state-owned conglomerate that controls United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), the Su-57E completed the journey with only one intermediate stop and still had enough fuel remaining for approximately another 1,000 kilometers of flight.
The company says this reserve allowed the same aircraft to perform its aerial demonstration at the event the following day without requiring additional refueling. According to Rostec, fuel consumption during the demonstration was comparable to that of a full air-combat mission.
The figures released by the company, as well as the comparison with a combat mission, were not accompanied by detailed flight data that would allow independent verification.
Source and images: Telegram @rostecru
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