When it comes to countering NATO, the MiG-35 is meant specifically to counter the ubiquitous F-16, the Eurofighter Typhoon, and, to a lesser extent, the F-35.
Russia is proving that they are a real power with a serious defense industrial base that, contrary to the expectations of Western military strategists, cannot be sanctioned out of existence. The Russians have become adept at taking older systems and upgrading them to the point that they are critical assets on the modern battlefield.
One such system that Russia is interested in making a significant threat to NATO forces is their MiG-35 Fourth-Generation++ multirole fighter jet, designed by Russia’s iconic Mikoyan Design Bureau. An evolution of the storied Soviet-era MiG-29 series of fighter jet, and marketed as a bridge between the fourth-and-fifth-generation fighter jets, the MiG-35 is meant to compete with more modern NATO aircraft such as the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II and the F-16 Fighting Falcon.
Russia’s New MiG-35 Fighter Should Scare the West
First unveiled internationally at the 2017 Moscow Air Show, the MiG-35 entered service with the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) in 2019. The aircraft is powered by two Klimov RD-33MK afterburning turbofan engines, enabling a maximum speed of Mach 2.25 and a combat range of around 1,242 miles without external fuel tanks. Its advanced fly-by-wire system and high maneuverability make the plane suitable for air superiority missions, while its compatibility with a wide array of air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions enhances its multirole potential.
One of the MiG-35’s standout features is its Phazotron Zhuk-AE Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, which can reportedly detect and track up to 30 targets simultaneously at a distance of around 100 miles. This radar, combined with modern electronic warfare (EW) systems, provides improved situational awareness and resistance to countermeasures. The aircraft further incorporates low-observability features such as radar-absorbing coatings, though it lacks the full strength of fifth-generation fighters like the F-35 or Russia’s own Su-57.
These attributes position MiG-35 as a versatile platform designed to engage both aerial and ground targets in high-intensity conflict environments.
The MiG-35 was developed with the dual purpose of modernizing Russia’s air force and attracting export customers, particularly in regions where cost considerations outweighed the need for cutting-edge stealth tech.
When it comes to countering NATO, the MiG-35 is meant specifically to counter the ubiquitous F-16, the Eurofighter Typhoon, and, to a lesser extent, the F-35. The MiG-35’s design emphasizes agility, affordability, and demands a higher pilot skill set—thereby aligning with Russia’s overall combat doctrine that prefers maneuverability over stealth in dogfighting scenarios.
What’s more, the MiG-35’s ability to operate in dense, contested air environments, such as those encountered in Ukraine, makes it theoretically well-suited for waging air war upon NATO, where integrated air defense systems pose a significant threat.
The MiG-35’s Muddled Operational History
Still, the MiG-35’s operational history underscores its struggles to compete effectively. Despite having entered service in 2019, only a handful of units—estimated at fewer than ten—have been delivered to the VKS. Accordingly, out of a desire to protect the Kremlin’s best aerial assets, the warplane has seen limited combat use. Reports suggest that the MiG-35 has seen only minimal deployment to Ukraine—as well as a recent assignment to defend Moscow against drone attacks during Russia’s annual large-scale World War II victory parade in May.
This lack of operational testing raises doubts about its reliability and effectiveness in real-world scenarios, particularly when compared to the F-16’s extensive combat record in conflicts, like the Gulf War and operations throughout the Middle East.
Today, however, with the Russian defense industrial base at its most efficient production level since the Cold War era, Russia is looking to ensure that the MiG-35 gets its fair shake. Moscow has indicated a desire to integrate more systems from the dynamic Su-57 into the MiG-35 to make it more competitive. There is a push to mass-produce the systems, making them more available for frontline combat operations.
At the start of the Ukraine War, Russia was clearly not fully prepared for the kind of conflict it was wading into. By 2025, though, Russia is fully galvanized; its forces are well-equipped and better led, and its defense industrial base is more efficient than ever. America should expect more MiG-35s to come online, with increasing regularity and greater sophistication than previous generations.
About the Author: Brandon J. Weichert
Brandon J. Weichert, a Senior National Security Editor at The National Interest as well as a contributor at Popular Mechanics, who consults regularly with various government institutions and private organizations on geopolitical issues. Weichert’s writings have appeared in multiple publications, including the Washington Times, National Review, The American Spectator, MSN, the Asia Times, and countless others. His books include Winning Space: How America Remains a Superpower, Biohacked: China’s Race to Control Life, and The Shadow War: Iran’s Quest for Supremacy. His newest book, A Disaster of Our Own Making: How the West Lost Ukraine is available for purchase wherever books are sold. He can be followed via Twitter @WeTheBrandon.
Image: Shutterstock / Arkady Zakharov.
