What You Need to Know: Despite the growing defense ties between Russia and China, a joint collaboration on the Sukhoi Su-57 fighter jet appears highly unlikely. While China benefits from Russian arms and technology, its advancements in aerospace—demonstrated by its domestically produced J-20 Mighty Dragon and J-35A stealth fighters—have surpassed Russia’s offerings.

-Beijing’s reluctance stems from the Su-57's mixed reputation, its lack of combat testing, and China's strategic desire to maintain independence in defense production.

-Additionally, historical distrust between the two nations and the failure of past joint ventures, such as the CR929 civilian airliner project, further diminish the prospects for collaboration on the Su-57.

Here are the facts: Russia is trying to find buyers, and possibly even a foreign partner to help produce its Sukhoi Su-57 (NATO reporting Felon); while China is actively seeking to bolster the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF).

It would seem the two nations are on track to work together to manufacture the Su-57 in larger numbers than Russia can do domestically. This could make a lot of sense based on those and other facts.

China has a growing aerospace industry and it could still get some Russian insight on various components notably engines – the area where Beijing has struggled. Russian industry is struggling to produce the Su-57 in significant numbers, and it had previously eyed the United Arab Emirates and India as potential partners.

Yet, a Sino-Russian partnership to build the Su-57 won't happen.

Yes, it is true that as the Wilson Center noted last month, the two nations "have conducted more than 100 joint military exercises, most of them since 2017, and many of them in distant locations such as the........

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