Russian state defence conglomerate Rostec reported that the Su-35S has destroyed extra targets in air-to-air fight than some other fighter kind within the Russian Armed Forces. An announcement by Rostec’s press workplace harassed that the Su-35 stays some of the actively employed fighters within the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian Battle, highlighting that its superior avionics together with its digital warfare and defensive suites specifically have been main elements that led it to earn excessive reward from pilots. Developed as a closely enhanced spinoff of the Soviet Su-27 air superiority fighter, the Su-35 locations a selected emphasis on superior air-to-air capabilities, in distinction to the considerably less expensive and extra nicely rounded Su-30SM2, and to the a lot heavier and longer ranged Su-34 optimised for strike operations. It has accordingly persistently been assigned for air-to-air operations towards a variety of targets within the theatre.
Though the Su-35 has extra superior air-to-air capabilities than some other Russian fighter kind in manufacturing, its stays considerably extra restricted than the extra superior Su-57 fifth era fighter or than the MiG-31 interceptor, the latter which is not in manufacturing. Each carry considerably extra highly effective sensor suites than the Su-35, with the MiG-31 additionally having a a lot better weapons carrying capability and with the ability to launch missiles towards targets throughout far better distances because of its significantly larger pace and altitude. Regardless of its extra restricted air-to-air capabilities, the Su-35 is more likely to have been liable for extra air-to-air kills because of the far better numbers by which it’s deployed within the theatre, with main delays to the Su-57 program which means that solely round a single regiment is estimated to be in service. The MiG-31 fleet, in the meantime, is prioritised for the defence of the Arctic, with the plane fielded in additional restricted numbers because of its far larger operational prices.
Talking in early January, a Ukrainian Air Drive F-16 pilot particularly singled out operations by Su-35s as a main issue stopping F-16 items from working in keeping with NATO doctrine, pressured them to undertake a “low-altitude flight” technique that targeted on terrain masking utilizing floor muddle to keep away from the extra superior Russian plane. A previous report by Rostec CEO Sergey Chemezov noticed in November 2024 that Ukraine’s newly delivered Western F-16 and Mirage 2000 fighters had been pressured to function solely at low altitudes in airspace far behind the frontlines to keep away from being focused by Su-35s. Ukrainian Air Drive sources have persistently warned that new Western-supplied F-16 and Mirage 2000 fighters are wholly incapable of matching the capabilities of the Su-35.
In late July the Su-35 was confirmed to have built-in the Su-57’s R-77M air-to-air missile, which has revolutionised its past visible vary fight capabilities that beforehand lagged far behind these of contemporary Chinese language and American fighter varieties. Basic Director of the Russian state run United Plane Company Vadim Badekha had two months prior in Could confirmed that work was underway to extend manufacturing of the plane, reflecting each rising demand from the Aerospace Forces, and a major surge in export demand. Elevated exports of the Su-35 are thought of a main issue permitting Russia to reverse the numerous annual decline in defence exports that started in 2022, with 2025 marking a significant turning level in this system’s beforehand underwhelming document on international markets. Following deliveries to Algeria from early 2025, each Iran and Ethiopia are anticipated to start receiving the fighters in 2026.
