The buzz around an earlier-than-expected production timeline for the S-70 this year does hold some substance, even if the probability may seem slim. On what basis, you might wonder? Well, as of mid-2023, the Russian Aerospace Forces [VKS or RuAF] initiated state tests of the S-70 that could potentially pave the way for production.
Suspense shrouds the progress of these tests, as Moscow is yet to disclose whether the testing is ongoing, how the tests are being executed, how the S-70 is faring, or the overall status of the project. This lack of transparency injects an element of doubt about Moscow’s ability to commence serial production by the latter half of 2024.
The S-70 Okhotnik project has faced its share of skepticism in the past, primarily because of several delays in test completion and initiation of production. In 2020, Russia’s UAC had set a goal to start S-70 production in 2023, which later shifted to 2024, and subsequently to 2025.
