Alert: Delivery of New Su-35S Fighter Jets Set to Shape Russia’s Air Superiority Strategy
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On August 21, 2025, Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), a subsidiary of Rostec, officially delivered a new batch of Su-35S multirole fighter jets to the Russian Aerospace Forces, as reported by TASS. This marks the fourth delivery of Su-35S aircraft since the beginning of the year, produced at the Yuri Gagarin aircraft plant in Komsomolsk-on-Amur. The steady pace of deliveries underlines Moscow’s determination to reinforce its tactical aviation fleet in the midst of ongoing geopolitical tensions and a defense industry operating under the constraints of sanctions. The Su-35S, described as a generation 4++ platform, continues to play a critical role in bridging the gap between Russia’s legacy Su-27 fleet and its next-generation Su-57 fighter.Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
The latest delivery of Su-35S aircraft confirms that Russia’s defense industry is maintaining momentum in producing advanced combat platforms, even under international pressure (Picture source: Rostec)
The Su-35S represents the most advanced derivative of the Su-27 family, designed as a multirole air superiority aircraft with secondary strike capabilities. Its defining features include thrust-vectoring AL-41F1S engines with digital control, allowing extreme maneuverability, and an Irbis-E passive electronically scanned array (PESA) radar capable of tracking multiple aerial targets at ranges exceeding 350 km. The aircraft is equipped to employ a wide spectrum of air-to-air and air-to-ground weaponry, including R-77-1 beyond-visual-range missiles, R-74 short-range missiles, and the Kh-31 anti-ship and anti-radiation missile family. This makes the Su-35S suitable for roles ranging from air defense escort to ground attack support, reinforcing its reputation as one of the most versatile fighters in the Russian inventory.
The development of the Su-35S began in the 2000s as Sukhoi sought to modernize the Su-27 platform to compete with Western fourth-generation fighters such as the F-15E and the Eurofighter Typhoon. Unlike the stealth-oriented Su-57, the Su-35S is optimized for aerodynamic performance and weapons payload. Russian pilots who tested the aircraft during operational evaluations reported high confidence in its dogfighting capabilities, citing the integration of advanced avionics and the aircraft’s high thrust-to-weight ratio. Over the years, the Su-35S has been deployed in Syria to provide air cover and demonstrate Russia’s aerospace technology to potential foreign buyers, much as the United States deployed the F-15 and F-16 in past conflicts to signal technological superiority.
The Su-35S offers Russia certain operational advantages compared to rivals. While it lacks the stealth characteristics of fifth-generation fighters like the American F-35, its maneuverability and payload capacity remain unmatched in its category. Analysts often compare the Su-35S with the Chinese J-16 or the upgraded American F-15EX. In terms of radar and missile capability, the Su-35S is still competitive, though Western systems increasingly rely on networked combat solutions, where Russia lags behind. Historically, the Su-35 follows a similar trajectory to the F-15 Eagle, a design upgraded over decades to extend service life and maintain relevance in contested airspaces.
Strategically, the continued delivery of Su-35S fighters highlights Moscow’s intent to sustain a credible airpower deterrent. With around 150 units believed to be in service, the Su-35S fleet is gradually replacing older Su-27s, ensuring the Aerospace Forces retain numerical and qualitative advantages against regional adversaries. The aircraft’s export track record further underscores its significance: Algeria received its first Su-35 batch earlier this year, while Iran is expected to induct its first units before the end of 2025. Iran’s procurement could reshape regional airpower balances, replacing its outdated fleet of F-4s and MiG-29s with modern Russian fighters. Speculation also surrounds potential deals with other states, including North Korea, though Pyongyang appears more inclined toward the Su-57.
From an industrial perspective, UAC’s CEO Vadim Badekha emphasized that expanding Su-35S production remains a core priority of Russia’s defense procurement plan. The aircraft continues to secure defense contracts both domestically and abroad, with reported annual production of roughly 14 units. The emphasis on increasing production capacity reflects both the internal demand of the Russian military and the expectation of major foreign orders that could help sustain Russia’s aerospace sector despite sanctions. The Su-35S thus carries both military and industrial weight, functioning as a symbol of resilience in Russia’s defense economy.
The latest delivery of Su-35S aircraft confirms that Russia’s defense industry is maintaining momentum in producing advanced combat platforms, even under international pressure. Beyond the immediate boost to airpower, the fighter’s role as both a frontline workhorse and an export product makes it central to Russia’s long-term strategy. By strengthening its fleet and expanding its foreign footprint, Moscow ensures the Su-35S remains not only a backbone of its Aerospace Forces but also a key instrument of influence in global defense markets.
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On August 21, 2025, Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), a subsidiary of Rostec, officially delivered a new batch of Su-35S multirole fighter jets to the Russian Aerospace Forces, as reported by TASS. This marks the fourth delivery of Su-35S aircraft since the beginning of the year, produced at the Yuri Gagarin aircraft plant in Komsomolsk-on-Amur. The steady pace of deliveries underlines Moscow’s determination to reinforce its tactical aviation fleet in the midst of ongoing geopolitical tensions and a defense industry operating under the constraints of sanctions. The Su-35S, described as a generation 4++ platform, continues to play a critical role in bridging the gap between Russia’s legacy Su-27 fleet and its next-generation Su-57 fighter.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
The latest delivery of Su-35S aircraft confirms that Russia’s defense industry is maintaining momentum in producing advanced combat platforms, even under international pressure (Picture source: Rostec)
The Su-35S represents the most advanced derivative of the Su-27 family, designed as a multirole air superiority aircraft with secondary strike capabilities. Its defining features include thrust-vectoring AL-41F1S engines with digital control, allowing extreme maneuverability, and an Irbis-E passive electronically scanned array (PESA) radar capable of tracking multiple aerial targets at ranges exceeding 350 km. The aircraft is equipped to employ a wide spectrum of air-to-air and air-to-ground weaponry, including R-77-1 beyond-visual-range missiles, R-74 short-range missiles, and the Kh-31 anti-ship and anti-radiation missile family. This makes the Su-35S suitable for roles ranging from air defense escort to ground attack support, reinforcing its reputation as one of the most versatile fighters in the Russian inventory.
The development of the Su-35S began in the 2000s as Sukhoi sought to modernize the Su-27 platform to compete with Western fourth-generation fighters such as the F-15E and the Eurofighter Typhoon. Unlike the stealth-oriented Su-57, the Su-35S is optimized for aerodynamic performance and weapons payload. Russian pilots who tested the aircraft during operational evaluations reported high confidence in its dogfighting capabilities, citing the integration of advanced avionics and the aircraft’s high thrust-to-weight ratio. Over the years, the Su-35S has been deployed in Syria to provide air cover and demonstrate Russia’s aerospace technology to potential foreign buyers, much as the United States deployed the F-15 and F-16 in past conflicts to signal technological superiority.
The Su-35S offers Russia certain operational advantages compared to rivals. While it lacks the stealth characteristics of fifth-generation fighters like the American F-35, its maneuverability and payload capacity remain unmatched in its category. Analysts often compare the Su-35S with the Chinese J-16 or the upgraded American F-15EX. In terms of radar and missile capability, the Su-35S is still competitive, though Western systems increasingly rely on networked combat solutions, where Russia lags behind. Historically, the Su-35 follows a similar trajectory to the F-15 Eagle, a design upgraded over decades to extend service life and maintain relevance in contested airspaces.
Strategically, the continued delivery of Su-35S fighters highlights Moscow’s intent to sustain a credible airpower deterrent. With around 150 units believed to be in service, the Su-35S fleet is gradually replacing older Su-27s, ensuring the Aerospace Forces retain numerical and qualitative advantages against regional adversaries. The aircraft’s export track record further underscores its significance: Algeria received its first Su-35 batch earlier this year, while Iran is expected to induct its first units before the end of 2025. Iran’s procurement could reshape regional airpower balances, replacing its outdated fleet of F-4s and MiG-29s with modern Russian fighters. Speculation also surrounds potential deals with other states, including North Korea, though Pyongyang appears more inclined toward the Su-57.
From an industrial perspective, UAC’s CEO Vadim Badekha emphasized that expanding Su-35S production remains a core priority of Russia’s defense procurement plan. The aircraft continues to secure defense contracts both domestically and abroad, with reported annual production of roughly 14 units. The emphasis on increasing production capacity reflects both the internal demand of the Russian military and the expectation of major foreign orders that could help sustain Russia’s aerospace sector despite sanctions. The Su-35S thus carries both military and industrial weight, functioning as a symbol of resilience in Russia’s defense economy.
The latest delivery of Su-35S aircraft confirms that Russia’s defense industry is maintaining momentum in producing advanced combat platforms, even under international pressure. Beyond the immediate boost to airpower, the fighter’s role as both a frontline workhorse and an export product makes it central to Russia’s long-term strategy. By strengthening its fleet and expanding its foreign footprint, Moscow ensures the Su-35S remains not only a backbone of its Aerospace Forces but also a key instrument of influence in global defense markets.
