In a significant development, Rostec State Corporation has recently handed over a batch of brand new Sukhoi Su-35S fighter jets to the Russian Ministry of Defense. The Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aviation Plant (KnAAZ), Yu.A. Gagarin, a subsidiary of the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), facilitated the delivery. Following the completion of necessary technical inspections and factory tests, these cutting-edge combat vehicles embarked on a flight to their designated home airfield. Each individual aircraft underwent rigorous testing in the air, ensuring their performance across various operational modes. These state-of-the-art fighters were constructed at KnAAZ and have been delivered as part of this year’s program.
“UAC enterprises fulfilling the state defense order, including the Komsomol plant, thanks to state support, received a significant amount of funds under the program of technical re-equipment and modernization of production. New productions and facilities were introduced. This allows us to increase serial production and increase production volumes. We will continue to fulfill our obligations under the concluded contracts. Su-35 aircraft of the following batches are in production. In addition, this year the volume of deliveries of the fifth generation Su-57 fighters to the Russian Aerospace Forces will increase,” said Yury Slyusar, General Director of the United Aircraft Corporation.
The Sukhoi Su-35 (NATO reporting name: Flanker-E) is the designation for two improved derivatives of the Su-27 air-defence fighter. They are single-seat, twin-engine, supermaneuverable aircraft, designed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau and built by Sukhoi. Su-35S is a designation of production T-10BM design for the Russian Aerospace Forces.The latest version of the Sukhoi Su-35, Su-35BM (bolshaya modernizatsiya – big modernisation, Flanker-M), is an advanced capability multirole air superiority fighter developed from the Su-27. The aircraft has high manoeuvrability (+9g) with a high angle of attack, and is equipped with high-capability weapon systems that contribute to the new aircraft’s exceptional dogfighting capability. “S” stands for Stroyevoy (“Combatant”).
The Russian Air Force ordered 48 Sukhoi Su-35S jets in August 2009 with deliveries scheduled to run until 2015. Sukhoi began producing the components required for assembly of the aircraft in November 2009. An information management system integrated with onboard subsystems and a new phased array radar system with long-range aerial target detection have been installed in the aircraft. The first Su-35S aircraft was handed over to the 929th State Flight Test Centre (GLITS) for flight tests in August 2011. The Russian Ministry of Defence received six Su-35S production aircraft from Sukhoi in December 2012. In 2015, China ordered 24 Su-35S aircraft for China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force. Indonesian Air Force placed an order for 11 Su-35S fighter jets in February 2018.
