Preliminary information indicates that one of the workshops was destroyed. The affected unit specialised in producing polymer composite components used in aircraft construction.
These advanced materials combine a polymer matrix with reinforcing fibres such as glass or carbon. They are valued for their high strength, low weight and resistance to corrosion, making them essential in aerospace applications.
Composite components are widely used in modern combat aircraft structures. In aircraft such as the Su-35 and Su-57, they form critical elements including stabilisers, control surfaces and parts of wings and fuselages.
Without these components, assembly of new aircraft cannot be completed. The damage is therefore expected to disrupt ongoing production processes at the facility.
Even before the fire, production of the Su-57 had been proceeding at a slow pace. Estimates suggest output remained limited to only a few aircraft annually, with a maximum of around eight units.
In 2025, official figures recorded the delivery of two domestic aircraft and two export units. Observers also reported four Su-57 aircraft departing from Novosibirsk in January, likely produced for delivery in the previous year.
Russia is estimated to operate a fleet of around 40 Su-57 fighters. However, their use in combat operations against Ukraine has remained limited.
Only a small number of personnel are trained to operate the aircraft effectively. As a result, typically no more than two to four Su-57s are deployed simultaneously, primarily using long-range weapons.
The fire is expected to further slow production, although the extent of the impact remains unclear. The scale of the damage has not yet been fully assessed.
In a worst-case scenario, the entire workshop may require reconstruction. Production could also be relocated within the plant or transferred to external subcontractors.
The cause of the fire has not yet been determined. Investigations are expected to establish the circumstances of the incident.
