Earlier this year, the United Aircraft Corporation [UAC], a key player in Russia’s aerospace industry, delivered its first batch of new Su-35S fighter jets to the Russian Aerospace Forces [VKS]. The handover, announced by UAC, marked a significant step in Moscow’s ongoing efforts to bolster its military aviation capabilities.
Russia takes delivery of Su-35S fighter jets fresh off line
Photo credit: UAC
These advanced jets, classified as generation 4++ fighters, underwent a rigorous process of factory testing before being accepted by technical crews and flown by VKS pilots in various operational modes.
Following the trials, the aircraft was piloted to their designated home base, signaling their readiness for active service. The delivery underscores Russia’s focus on maintaining a robust air force amid evolving global security challenges and domestic production demands.
On 14 March, the Komsomolsk-on-Amur plant delivered two Su-35S fighters to the Russian air force. This was announced on 29 March (https://t.co/CbjRzFKT08)
Next, as a bonus, my article from 14 years ago about various antennas on the Su-35. pic.twitter.com/bW9WcV24Ul
— Piotr Butowski (@piotr_butowski) March 29, 2025
Vladimir Artiakov, the first deputy general director of Rostec, the state-owned conglomerate overseeing UAC, emphasized the reliability of Russia’s aircraft manufacturers in meeting military needs. “Our producers are fulfilling their obligations to deliver new aviation equipment to the troops in good faith,” he said in a statement released by Rostec.
He highlighted that this initial batch is part of a broader effort to supply serial fighters throughout the year, with additional aircraft currently in various stages of production.
Artiakov described the Su-35S as a multirole platform designed to secure air superiority and strike ground targets, capable of operating day or night in all weather conditions. He also noted its ability to perform effectively over long distances, a feature that enhances its strategic value for the VKS.
The Su-35S, often referred to simply as the Su-35 in Western nomenclature, is an evolution of the Soviet-era Su-27 Flanker series. Developed by Sukhoi, a prominent name in Russian aviation, this fighter jet blends advanced avionics, powerful engines, and exceptional maneuverability.
Its twin Saturn AL-41F1S engines, equipped with thrust-vectoring nozzles, allow for supermaneuverability—a trait that enables the aircraft to execute tight turns and complex aerial maneuvers that few competitors can match.
With a top speed exceeding 1,500 miles per hour and a range of roughly 2,200 miles without refueling, the Su-35S is built for both tactical flexibility and extended missions.
Its radar, the Irbis-E passive electronically scanned array, can detect targets at distances up to 250 miles, giving pilots a significant edge in situational awareness.
For the Russian Aerospace Forces, the Su-35S serves as a cornerstone of its modern fighter fleet. It fills a critical role as a multirole aircraft, capable of engaging enemy planes, supporting ground operations, and conducting precision strikes with a wide array of munitions.
These include air-to-air missiles like the R-77 and R-27, as well as air-to-ground weapons such as the Kh-29 missile and KAB-500 guided bombs. The VKS has historically relied on a mix of legacy Soviet designs and newer platforms, but the Su-35S represents a bridge between older systems and Russia’s fifth-generation Su-57 stealth fighter, which remains in limited production.
Estimates from open-source intelligence, such as data tracked by Oryx, suggest that Russia operates around 100 Su-35 aircraft, though exact numbers are closely guarded by the Ministry of Defense.
The timing of this delivery comes as Russia faces mounting pressure to replenish its air forces, particularly in light of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Since the invasion began in early 2022, the VKS has experienced significant attrition.
Independent analysts, including those from Oryx, have documented the loss of at least 134 Russian military aircraft, with the Su-35 among those targeted.
One notable incident involved a Ukrainian drone attack on the Akhtubinsk airbase, where a Su-35 was reportedly damaged or destroyed. The jet has been deployed primarily for long-range strike missions, launching precision-guided munitions against Ukrainian infrastructure and military targets.
However, analysts note that Russia has been cautious about exposing the Su-35 to frontline combat, likely due to the threat posed by Ukraine’s air defenses, bolstered by Western-supplied systems like the Patriot and NASAMS.
Vadim Badekha, the CEO of UAC, addressed the production challenges in a separate statement, signaling an intent to ramp up output. “Our main task is to increase the production rates of in-demand military products,” he said. “This applies primarily to the Su-34, Su-35, and Su-57 aircraft. For each of these types, an increase in production volumes is planned for the current year.”
Badekha stressed that expanding manufacturing capacity and improving workforce qualifications are key to meeting these goals. The Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aviation Plant, where the Su-35S is assembled, is central to this effort.
UAC has acknowledged the need to attract new talent and enhance training for existing staff to keep pace with the heightened demand driven by wartime losses and export commitments.
Beyond Russia, the Su-35 has found a small but growing international market. China became the first foreign operator in 2016, acquiring 24 jets as part of a $2 billion deal. The People’s Liberation Army Air Force has integrated the aircraft into its fleet, using it to patrol contested areas like the South China Sea.
More recently, Algeria emerged as the third operator, with video evidence surfacing earlier this month confirming the presence of Su-35s in its air force. Reports suggest Iran may also have taken delivery of a handful of the jets, though details remain scarce due to sanctions and diplomatic sensitivities.
These exports highlight the Su-35’s appeal as a cost-effective alternative to Western fighters, offering advanced capabilities without the political baggage tied to NATO-aligned systems.
In the global context, the Su-35S occupies a unique niche among modern fighter jets. It is often compared to Western aircraft like the American F-15EX Eagle II and the European Eurofighter Typhoon, both of which share its multi-role versatility and air superiority focus.
The F-15EX, an upgraded variant of the venerable F-15, boasts superior radar range and payload capacity but lacks the Su-35’s thrust-vectoring agility.
The Typhoon, meanwhile, offers a balanced mix of speed, stealth features, and coalition interoperability, advantages that the Russian jet can’t fully replicate due to its standalone design philosophy.
On the Eastern front, China’s J-16, a derivative of the Su-27, presents a closer parallel, though it trails the Su-35 in engine performance and radar technology.
Historically, the Su-35’s development reflects Russia’s post-Cold War push to modernize its air force while leveraging Soviet engineering legacies. First flown in 2008 as the Su-35BM prototype, the aircraft entered service with the VKS in 2014 after years of refinements.
Its design prioritizes raw performance over stealth, a contrast to the U.S.’s F-35 Lightning II, which sacrifices speed and maneuverability for low observability. This trade-off has sparked debate among military analysts about the Su-35’s relevance in an era dominated by stealth and networked warfare.
While it lacks the fifth-generation features of the Su-57 or F-35, its lower cost—estimated at $65 million per unit versus the F-35’s $80 million-plus—makes it an attractive option for nations seeking high-end capability without breaking the bank.
The war in Ukraine has provided a real-world testing ground for the Su-35, albeit with mixed results. Russian pilots have praised its firepower and handling, but its vulnerability to advanced air defenses has limited its deployment near contested zones.
Ukrainian forces, equipped with Soviet-era S-300 systems and newer Western munitions, have claimed several Su-35 kills, though such reports are difficult to verify independently.
The conflict has also exposed broader challenges for Russia’s aviation industry, including sanctions that restrict access to foreign components. Rostec and UAC have leaned on domestic supply chains to mitigate these constraints, but production delays have persisted, prompting the current push to accelerate output.
Looking ahead, the Su-35’s role in the VKS will likely evolve as Russia balances immediate wartime needs with long-term modernization. The delivery of this latest batch signals a commitment to sustaining airpower, even as losses mount.
For UAC, the challenge lies in scaling up manufacturing without compromising quality—a task complicated by workforce shortages and economic pressures. Internationally, the jet’s modest export success suggests it will remain a player in the global arms market, particularly for countries wary of Western influence.
Whether it can hold its own against increasingly sophisticated adversaries, however, remains an open question, one that future conflicts and technological advancements will ultimately answer.
As the Su-35S jets settle into service, their impact will be felt both on the battlefield and in the broader geopolitical arena.
For now, the focus remains on production, with UAC and Rostec working to ensure that Russia’s skies—and those of its allies—stay defended by one of the most capable fighters in their arsenal. The latest handover at Komsomolsk-on-Amur is just the beginning of what promises to be a busy year for Russia’s aviation sector.
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