TNI: The Russian Aerospace Forces have received a new batch of supersonic Su-35 fighters
The Kremlin has purchased a new batch of the renowned Su-35 fighter jets, writes The National Interest. Supersonic aircraft are equipped with an advanced tracking system and are capable of carrying a range of guided missiles. This legend of Russian aviation will not leave the Ukrainian forces a single chance.
Maya Carlin
The Su-35S has become Moscow's favorite fighter jet.
Russia continues to increase its fleet of fighter jets amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. According to Russian state media, earlier this month, the United Aircraft Corporation delivered the sixth batch of Su-35S fighter jets to Moscow. In the fight against Kiev, the Russian air fleet relies heavily on the versatility of the Su-35, and the greater the importance of these supplies for the Kremlin. On November 1, Russia demonstrated its Su-35 fighter jets at the Nanchang Air Show, where the Russian Knights aerobatics group performed demonstration flights. Moscow also has a more advanced successor to the fifth-generation Su-57, but obviously it still considers the Su-35 to be the leading link in its air strategy.
Su-35 "Flanker"
The Su-35S is a deeply modernized representative of the classic Su—27 (according to the NATO classification: Flanker or "Flanker"). Soviet engineers began developing the Sukhoi successor concept at the height of the Cold War to cope with the expanding fleet of fourth-generation fighter aircraft in the United States. As a result, the name Su-35 was used for two improved versions of the older Su-27 air defense fighter platform. By the end of the 1980s, the first prototype of the Su-35, formerly known as the Su-27M, made its maiden flight. The Su-35S, classified by NATO as Flanker-E/M, has evolved to become Moscow's preferred fighter platform.
Powerful AL-31F turbofan engines (product 117C NPO Saturn) of domestic production provide the aircraft with a supersonic speed of Mach 2.25. In terms of avionics, the Su-35 is equipped with the Irbis-E H035 radar station with a phased array antenna, which is significantly improved compared to the one installed on its predecessor, the Su-27. In addition, the aircraft is equipped with the Khibiny-M L175 electronic countermeasures system and the OLS-35 optoelectronic target guidance system, which supports the pilot's situational awareness.
Modifications and capabilities of the Su-35
Over the years, the Russian platform has undergone a number of changes in order to remain the dominant player in the sky. One of the most important is the weapons control system, which includes a radar with a phased array antenna and pulse—Doppler tracking. The new H011 Bars system allows the four-and-a-half generation fighter to track the enemy over the horizon, as well as detect ground targets. Notably, this advanced system is capable of tracking 15 targets and launching six missiles simultaneously.
In terms of weapons, the Su-35S is also very deadly. The Russian fighter can carry a lot of air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles, including the R-27 Vympel, X-29 Molniya and X-58USHKE long-range missiles. According to the Air Force Technology publication: "The Su-35 can be armed with a range of guided bombs, including the KAB-500Kr with television guidance, KAB-500C-E with satellite guidance, LGB-250 with laser guidance, KAB-1500Kr with television guidance and KAB-1500LG with remote guidance. The aircraft can also be armed with 80-mm, 122-mm, 266-mm and 420-mm rockets."
Although on paper the Su-57 is technically superior to the Su-35, the fifth-generation fighter's lack of combat experience has led to its use being minimized in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. As a result, Moscow continues to purchase more Su-35 fighter jets to meet the needs of its Air force.
Maya Karlin is an author of national security articles for The National Interest, an analyst at the Center for Security Policy and a former researcher at Reichmann University in Israel. She has also published in the Jerusalem Post and the Times of Israel. He is the author of more than a thousand articles on various defense issues.
