There could be a Russian fighter jet in the skies this very moment and you may not know it because Russia recently unveiled Sukhoi T-50–their first stealth fighter jet.

Sukhoi T-50 boosts Russia’s efforts to advance its existing arsenals and perhaps retain lucrative export market. Craig Caffrey, an analyst for Jane’s Defense Procurement-Military Aircraft, seems to agree when he told The Associated Press, “The T-50 should offer the Russian Air Force a significant boost in its capabilities and ensure that it remains one of the best equipped air forces in the world. For those countries that don’t traditionally purchase military equipment from the U.S. it will be the only fifth generation aircraft available.”

The flight of the Sukhoi T-50 came 20 years after the first prototype of the U.S. F-22 Raptor took flight. According to Russian officials, it will take another five years for the new jet to enter service.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin called the flight a “big step forward.”

(image & story via Huffington Post)