Russia Aims World Market With Top-Gun Aircraft

ON the first week of this month, the Russian Air Force has been confirmed to have received its first new batch of Su-35S fighter aircraft since the beginning of the year following all the necessary tests and flight checks.

The Su-35S and its export version Su-35 is a deep modernisation of the most capable class of air superiority fighter, the Su-27 Flanker. The Su-35s enjoy a combat radius of up to 2,000km, being capable of accommodating more fuel than its predecessor as well as more efficient AL-41F-1S engines. 

According to the international classification the Su-35S belongs to 4++ multifunctional combat jet. According to the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) CEO Vadim Badekha, the company “priority is to ramp up output of Su-34, Su-35, and Su-57 aircraft”. This will allow the UAC to fulfill the Russian State Order as well as to meet the increased demand of the world combat aircraft market. 

The Russian Ministry of Defence says the Su-35S fighters play a leading role in air-to-air missions during the special military operation in Ukraine, with no losses so far. Numerous international media have described the Su-35S success story in the conflict, which started in March 2022 with shooting down four Ukrainian Air Force Su-27 fighters near the city of Zhytomir in a single engagement. It has been followed by the destruction of more Su-27s, as well as MiG-29s, Su-24Ms, Su-25s, Mi-8 helicopters and a wide range of UAVs. 

The Su-35s combat efficiency has been noticed by the American Rand Corporation among the many. “Large Russian air superiority fighters such as the MiG-31 and Su-35 can see significantly farther with their powerful, modern radars. They also have R-37 missiles that have a much longer range than NATO-supplied AIM-120 AMRAAMs. In other words, Russian aircraft can potentially spot Ukrainian F-16s and shoot them down before the Ukrainian pilots see them coming. This is exactly what has been happening with Ukraine’s current fleet of Su-27 and MiG-29 fighters,” wrote RAND in one of its reports.

The Su-35 exports records include a contract with the Chinese Air Force acquisition of 24 units in the mid-2010s. However, in the end of January this year the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps General Ali Shadmani confirmed that his country had placed orders for the Su-35 to improve the ageing IRI Air Force capability. 

Subsequently on March 13 the Algerian Air Force confirmed to have become the third Su-35 customer (likely with at least two dozen units). Other possible users of the Su-35S may include Egypt, Indonesia and North Korea.

The Su-35S is a transitional link to the fifth-generation combat aviation such as Su-57. The export version being designated as Su-57E made its international debut at the Airshow China last November. The aircraft exceptional maneuverability during live flight demonstration had deeply impressed the show visitors and experts. 

Needless to say, the Su-57 fifth-generation fighter has also been widely tested in combat conditions through the conflict in Ukraine. The aircraft participated in various missions, including air defense suppression, air-to-air combat, and operations in heavily defended enemy airspace, as well as a range of precision strike missions using both internally and externally deployed missiles. Among the missiles that have proved effectiveness the experts name the RVV-MD2 and RVV-BD air-to-air, Kh-35UE antiship, Kh-38MLE air-to-ground, Kh-58UShKE anti-radar, as well as the Kh-69 new-generation stealthy cruise missile.

Rostec Corporation CEO Sergey Chemezov says: “The Su-57 stands out as the only fifth-generation fighter that has proven its combat effectiveness against modern air defense networks. The aircraft’s participation at air show in China and India attracted significant interest from defense specialists and potential buyers, reflecting its strong export potential.”

On Feb 10, the head of Rosoboronexport Alexander Mikheev disclosed the timeframe of the Su-57E prime international deal. “The first foreign customer of the advanced multirole fifth-generation fighter Su-57E will start operating this aircraft, which will be supplied by Rosoboronexport, in 2025,” he stated at the opening of the Aero India 2025. The above deal had been previously announced by Mikheev during Air Show China 2024.

The boss of the Rosoboronexport refused to name the Su-57E first international customer, but speculation is intensifying around Algerian Air Force which have been operating a significant fleet of the Russian-manufactured combat aircraft including Su-30MKA, MiG-29 and Su-24. 

Combining stealth, agility, advanced avionics and multi-role capability, the Su-57E represents the top of Russian aeronautical engineering. Its airframe incorporates composite materials and a reduced radar cross-section to evade detection, while its twin high-thrust turbofan engines enable it to achieve supersonic cruise speeds without afterburners. The jet is equipped with an AESA radar, advanced EW systems and networked sensors, allowing it to function as a command-and-control node in network-centric operations. 

The Su-57’s primary air-to-air armament comprised the R-77M and R-37M air-to-air missiles. Access to the R-37M is one of the Su-57’s most outstanding features compared to rival fighters of its generation, and provides an engagement range of 400km, meaning it can neutralise enemy aircraft over twice as far as competitors can. The length of its air-to-air engagement range allows Su-57s to threaten key enemy support assets such as AEW&C aircraft, as well as bombers, from extreme ranges, and paired with is stealth capabilities creates considerable uncertainty regarding the areas where operating such aircraft may or may not be safe.

During Russia’s involvement in Syria, the fighter was deployed to test its capabilities, including precision strikes on high-value targets and the use of electronic warfare in contested environments. In the ongoing Ukraine conflict, it has been utilised in a limited capacity, leveraging its long-range sensors and stand-off missile capabilities. 

These operational experiences have made the Su-57E a highly attractive option for Russia’s friendly nations seeking cutting-edge technology to spread the aircraft export horizons.–roe/adj/dl (Pix:ROE)