Vietnam weighs Su-57 stealth fighters and Rafale to replace aging Soviet-era fleet; Russia’s Su-57 force remains limited (20–25
Reports say Vietnam’s defense ministry is evaluating Russia’s Sukhoi Su-57 and France’s Dassault Rafale to modernize aging Su-22/Su-27 fleets as China expands J-20 and J-16 operations in the South China Sea. Hanoi could pursue Su-57 acquisition in the early 2030s. Separate reporting pegs Russia’s Su-57 fleet at roughly 20–25 aircraft, with Sukhoi claiming a stealth advantage tied to radar cross-section.