Vulnerabilities in Sukhoi Production: Clipping Russia’s Wings

The paper reveals significant dependencies on foreign components, materials and machine tools, and highlights the growing capability gap between Russian aircraft and their NATO and Chinese counterparts and the challenges Russia faces in retaining skilled engineers in the global market.

The paper provides actionable insights for NATO and its allies to counter Russia’s military–industrial capabilities and reduce its influence in the global defence sector.

Key Recommendations

• Expand sanctions for second- and third-tier suppliers in Russia’s aerospace supply chain to disrupt production.
   
• Enforce sanctions to prevent Russia from acquiring critical equipment and materials from Europe and other regions.
   
• Coordinate military and economic strategies by aligning long-range strike campaigns with economic measures to maximise disruption of Russian production facilities.
   
• Encourage brain drain through developing pathways for skilled Russian engineers to emigrate, reducing Russia’s long-term aerospace capabilities.
   
• Compete in global markets to create competitive offers from NATO to displace Russia and China in combat aircraft exports, focusing on affordability and ease of maintenance.

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