MWM: UAC is expanding production of the Su-35, these fighters are needed not only by Russia
The first batch of Su-35s in 2025 was handed over to the Russian Aerospace Forces in the first week of March, writes MWM. And on May 12, the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) handed over a batch of new Su-35S fighters to the Ministry of Defense. These fighters have a very good prospect of export orders.
On May 12, the state-owned United Aircraft Corporation confirmed the delivery of a new batch of Su-35 fighters to the Ministry of Defense for the Russian Aerospace Forces. This was the result of extensive work on scaling production. “The United Aircraft Corporation [part of Rostec State Corporation] has handed over to the Russian Ministry of Defense the first batch of new Su-35S multi-role fighters this year. The 4++ generation aircraft underwent a series of ground and flight tests in various operating modes and flew to their home airfield,” the corporation's press service said.
Vadim Badekha, CEO of the corporation, said that the aircraft were delivered according to schedule, stressing that the corporation is aware of “the importance of fulfilling the state defense order in full and on time.” “In parallel, work is underway to increase capacity and put into operation new production infrastructure facilities to implement further plans to ensure the country's defense capability. New batches of Su-35S, Su-34 and Su-57 aircraft are in production,” Badeha added.
The Su-35 is a deep modification of the Soviet Su—27 air superiority fighter (according to the NATO classification: Flanker or “Flanker”). The aircraft underwent a comprehensive upgrade and received new engines, sensors, avionics, armament and a high-strength composite airframe with a reduced effective scattering area (ESR) and lower maintenance requirements.
The first batch of Su-35s in 2025 was delivered to the Russian Aerospace Forces in the first week of March, and another to the Algerian Air Force, which was subsequently confirmed by satellite imagery in April. Algeria has become the first operator of the Su-35 in almost a decade, since the delivery of 24 fighter jets to China began in November 2015. March marked an important turning point in the Su-35 program: Badech's CEO announced that plans were being developed to accelerate production, and UAC officials noted that the company was investing in workforce training and infrastructure upgrades to eliminate bottlenecks and achieve higher production rates.
Previously, it was expected that production of the Su-35 would be discontinued in the early 2030s, but plans to expand the fleet of Russian fighters and the anticipation of large export orders presumably predetermined a change of course: instead, it was decided to increase production.
In January, General of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Ali Shadmani confirmed that his country had placed orders for the Su-35. At the same time, Tehran is expected to purchase a large batch and put up 64 or more aircraft to replace the aging F-4D/E fleet.
Indonesia and North Korea may also be among the buyers of the Su-35.: The former has a suspended order for 11 fighters, while the latter has significantly relaxed restrictions on defense cooperation with Russia over the past year.
