It is believed that the Kremlin had 110 Su-35 aircraft of various types in its inventory as of December 2022—though it has since lost some over Ukraine.
Since the onset of its “Special Military Operation” in Ukraine, the Russian military has lost at least 100 combat aircraft. Among the warplanes destroyed are at least six of its advanced Sukhoi Su-35s (NATO reporting name “Flanker M”), including one that was shot down by a Ukrainian F-16 Fighting Falcon earlier this month.
The Kremlin has struggled to replace the losses. This week, however, it announced that the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) has delivered a fresh batch. How many, and how soon, those aircraft could be deployed to units is unclear, but Rostec’s first deputy CEO, Vladimir Artyakov, was quick to tout the Su-35S’s capabilities.
“The new fighter jets of generation 4++ have passed a full cycle of factory tests in various operational regimes and flew to the deployment airfield,” said Artyakov, who also noted that Russia’s pilots have praised the “Superflanker” as being the best of its class.
“The fighter jets display the best flying qualities, excellent characteristics of navigational complexes and sights. The craft fulfil all missions and bring the victory closer,” Artyakov added, according to a report from Russian state media.
The sentiments were shared by UAC CEO Vadim Badekha, who told Tass that the state-owned Russian military-industrial conglomerate remains focused on maintaining a high rate of production of Su-35A.
“We plan to raise production effectiveness 30 percent by 2030,” Badekha explained. “It will help produce major volumes under the arms procurement order that will exceed the high figures of last year.”
The Su-35 Is the Kremlin’s Most Advanced Multirole Fighter
The Kremlin has long hyped the capabilities of the Su-35, which was first proposed as an upgrade of the proven Su-27 (NATO reporting name “Flanker”). The development of what was to become the Su-35 began in the early 1980s, and the aircraft first flew in 1988, then known as the Su-27M. Although it was initially presented as a highly agile Su-27 primarily designed for air superiority missions, its capabilities were later expanded to include an air-to-ground role.
The aircraft was later proposed to serve as a replacement for the Soviet Union’s Su-27 and MiG-29 fighters, and initial production of the Su-27M commenced in 1988. It was subsequently redesignated as the Su-35; however, according to MilitaryToday.com, only a dozen aircraft were completed following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, including nine pre-production models.
Production ceased in 1995, and that might have been the end of the Su-35’s story. However, after Moscow recovered from its financial crisis during the 1990s, production on the multirole fighter resumed in 2007. Multiple improved versions emerged, including the Su-35S. It is believed that the Kremlin had 110 Su-35 aircraft of various types in its inventory as of December 2022. It is in service with several fighter aviation regiments of the Russian Aerospace Forces, including the 22nd Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment. It has been considered among the best of Moscow’s frontline combat aircraft and thus a competent foe to current U.S. aircraft, including the F-15 Eagle, the F/A-18 Super Hornet, and potentially even the F-35 Lightning II.
Russia’s Su-35s Are Flailing Over Ukraine
However, the Su-35’s performance in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine paints an entirely different picture.
“Despite its sophisticated technology and upgrades over the Su-27, including enhanced maneuverability and a modern radar system, the Su-35 has faced significant losses,” wrote Harrison Kass for The National Interest last October. Notably, that was months before a Fighting Falcon proved to be the more capable warbird earlier this month. That incident marked the first air-to-air “kill” of the Soviet-designed fighter; previous Su-35 losses had all been to ground fire.
It was further reported that the F-16 likely received targeting data for the Su-35S, provided by a Swedish-made Saab 340 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft. In addition, the Su-35S was likely destroyed by an AIM-120 AMRAAM (Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile). Designed to operate as both a beyond-visual-range (BVR) and within-visual-range (WVR), the AIM-120 employs inertial guidance and active radar homing for very accurate target acquisition. Its fire-and-forget capabilities also enable the launching aircraft to disengage immediately.
Even if that is the case, and the F-16 was given extra eyes in the sky to track the Su-35, it highlights the fact that one of Russia’s very best multirole fighters has met its match.
About the Author: Peter Suciu
Peter Suciu has contributed over 3,200 published pieces to more than four dozen magazines and websites over a thirty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. He is based in Michigan. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: [email protected].
