RuAviation

The Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) have taken delivery of another consignment of Su-35S multirole fighter aircraft. The 4++ generation aircraft underwent a full suite of factory acceptance trials, including tests across various operational modes, before being flown to their permanent operating base. This was announced in a press release by the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC).

The Su-35S is designed for operations in all weather conditions, day and night, at significant distances from the airfield. The fighter is actively employed by the Russian military in combat operations in Ukraine. The aircraft’s capabilities enable it to effectively execute a broad spectrum of missions – from providing air cover and protecting vital military, energy, and civilian infrastructure to conducting strikes against enemy surface targets (both land and naval).

“The VKS pilots note that the Su-35S fighters possess excellent handling characteristics. The aircraft’s performance and its armament fully meet the requirements necessary for executing combat missions to provide cover and achieve air superiority,” the UAC statement reads.

At the aircraft handover ceremony, UAC Director General Vadim Badeha emphasized that the company is adhering to the schedule for delivering combat aircraft under the State Defence Order. According to him, UAC factories are completing planned tasks on time and are simultaneously increasing production capacity for future contracts. New batches of Su-35S, Su-34, and Su-57 fighter aircraft are currently in production.

This delivery of Su-35S aircraft is the second in 2025. The first batch was delivered to the VKS on 29 March. The exact number of fighters handed over in either instance has not been disclosed – the UAC has not published this data since 2022.

The Su-35S is a 4++ generation multirole fighter, developed from the Su-27. It is equipped with AL-41F1S engines (rated at 2 x 8,800 kgf [19,400 lbf] dry thrust and 2 x 14,000 kgf [30,900 lbf] afterburning thrust) with thrust vectoring control (TVC), an Irbis passive electronically scanned array (PESA) radar, and advanced avionics and weapons control systems. Thanks to its high manoeuvrability and a payload of up to 8 tonnes (17,600 lbs), the Su-35S is considered one of the most effective fighters in its class.