The Sukhoi OKB Company developed for the Air Force of Russia a jet fighter of the fifth generation called the PAK FA.

T-50 is the present prototype of the Sukhoi. After being fully developed, the PAK FA is meant to replace the Su-27 and the MiG-29 models. Through its design and equipment, it is the main competitor of the F-35 Lightning II and the F-22 Raptor developed by Lockheed Martin. In January 2010 T-50 had its first flight and the second one was operated in February 2010, followed by a third one a week later. Up to present it operated a total of 17 flights.

The project has evaluated a market of 1000 aircrafts for the next 40 years. The production of the fighters is a joint project with India, which, together with Russia, will benefit of 200 aircrafts each. The other models produced are intended for export to other countries. The director of the Sukhoi Company has stated that the collaboration with India will be expressed in joint work rather than joint venture.

India will acquire 50 fighters with single seat of the variants for Russia, to start with, followed by FGFA model with two seats, when it is developed.

Russia intends to purchase ten aircraft at first, after 2012 and after 2016 – 60 more. The first fighters are going to be delivered without the engines of the fifth generation.

The new PAK-FA’s are expected to last in service for approximately 30 to 35 years.