European Typhoon vs. Russia's Su-57: Who would rule skies?

The devastating war in Ukraine is dragging on in its fourth year, and hopes for a diplomatic breakthrough continue to rise and fall.

As negotiations appear to have entered yet another phase — with a new US-backed peace plan reportedly under review in Kyiv at the time of this reporting — fears of a potential military escalation between Russia and Ukraine’s allies always persist in the background.

In the unlikely but worst-case scenario of European powers joining the battlefield against Russian forces, the Eurofighter Typhoon and Russia’s Su-57 Felon would almost certainly face one another. While there is no concrete indication that such a confrontation is imminent, the publication 19FortyFive has analyzed the capabilities of the two aircraft in the event of such an encounter.

According to their article, the Su-57 brings fifth-generation stealth and long-range missiles, such as the R-37M, “on paper,” while

The Typhoon, however, pairs superb kinematics with the Captor-E AESA radar, PIRATE IRST and the Meteor missile, whose large no-escape zone can help counter the Felon’s limited stealth.

The Eurofighter Typhoon is among Europe’s most advanced fighter jets. Developed through a multinational industrial partnership, it was intended to serve as the continent’s principal air-combat platform. It features sophisticated avionics, advanced flight-control systems, high-performance engines and a powerful weapons loadout.

Russia, meanwhile, is regarded as the most significant security threat to Europe. Its most advanced fighter, the Su-57 Felon, is often viewed as one of the weaker fifth-generation platforms in terms of overall performance and stealth. Yet the article notes that its extreme thrust-vectoring manoeuvrability gives it a first-shot advantage in beyond-visual-range (BVR) engagements and a slight edge in close-in manoeuvring.

The Eurofighter Typhoon is classified as a 4.5-generation multirole fighter, built with speed and agility at the forefront. Its canard-delta wing configuration makes it highly manoeuvrable. Though it incorporates some stealth elements — such as radar-absorbent materials and a reduced radar cross-section — it is not a true stealth aircraft. Its design emphasizes aerodynamic performance and sensor integration. Originally optimized for air superiority, it has evolved into a strong multirole aircraft capable of precision ground-attack missions.

By contrast, the Su-57 is a full fifth-generation platform prioritizing stealth, super manoeuvrability and multirole flexibility. Its airframe includes internal weapons bays, radar-absorbing coatings and shaping intended to reduce radar and infrared signatures. Its thrust-vectoring engines enable extreme post-stall manoeuvres, such as the cobra and tail slide, enhancing its dogfighting capabilities. Its stealth and long-range missile systems are meant to give it an advantage in BVR combat.

In raw performance, both aircraft can reach speeds near Mach 2. The Su-57 can reportedly supercruise at around Mach 1.3, while the Eurofighter can reach approximately Mach 1.5 without afterburners. The Su-57 also has a longer operational range — 3,500 to 5,000 kilometers depending on the source — compared to the Typhoon’s roughly 2,900 kilometers. This gives the Felon greater strategic reach, particularly in large theaters. Its stealth design may also allow it to secure a first-shot opportunity in BVR engagements.

However, even here the Su-57 falls short compared to other fifth-generation fighters. Stealth is not absolute, and the Typhoon’s advanced sensors and data-link systems can help offset this advantage. If the Typhoon detects the Su-57 early enough, a Meteor launch could neutralize the threat before the Felon closes distance.

Both aircraft carry strong sensor suites. The Typhoon is equipped with the Captor-E AESA radar, known for its wide field of regard and excellent tracking. The Su-57 features the N036 Byelka radar system, whose distributed architecture — including cheek-mounted L-band radars — provides 360-degree coverage.

In terms of armament, the Typhoon boasts a larger payload capacity and a highly diverse weapons mix. It can carry both air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions, including the Meteor missile, often regarded as one of the world’s most advanced BVR weapons. The Su-57 stores its weapons internally to preserve stealth, with bays for both BVR and WVR missiles. It also fields a 30mm cannon, compared to the Typhoon’s 27mm Mauser BK-27. While internal carriage limits payload relative to the Typhoon’s 13 external hardpoints, the Su-57 can expand its load when stealth is not a priority.

Although the Su-57 has an infamous reputation among Western analysts, the article notes that in a direct one-on-one encounter, it is “reasonably well-equipped to take on most fighters.”

In a BVR scenario, where aircraft fire on one another without visual contact, the Su-57’s stealth and long-range missile suite give it an initial advantage. However, the Typhoon’s Meteor missile and sensor-fusion capabilities could narrow the gap if the Su-57 is detected early.

In a WVR fight, the Su-57’s thrust-vectoring engines and extreme post-stall manoeuvrability give it a slight edge. Still, the Typhoon’s high turn rate and strong pilot interface could allow it to outmanoeuvre the Felon in sustained engagements.

In a close-range visual dogfight, the Typhoon’s agility and rapid turn performance make it a formidable opponent.

While the outcome would be far from predetermined, the publication ultimately concludes that the Su-57 is fully capable of engaging the Eurofighter in close-range combat.

By Nazrin Sadigova