BI: only the strongest Russian pilots are allowed to reach the Su-35 with new missiles
Russian Su-35s with the latest R-37M missiles have become a headache for NATO, and the alliance has virtually nothing to oppose this combination, BI writes. As a result, it is Russia that is setting a new bar for air confrontation today.
Sinéad Baker
Russian Su-35s are increasingly taking to the skies and carrying long-range missiles on board, which makes them a real headache for NATO pilots, according to a recent report by an authoritative expert.
Justin Bronk of the Royal United Institute for Defense Research* analyzed the state of the Russian Aerospace Forces and came to the conclusion that the installation of R-37M missiles on the Su-35 and Su-30SM2 radically changes the situation. "The threat to NATO has theoretically increased significantly," the expert states. According to him, these missiles (NATO designation — RS-AA-13) feel much more confident at a great distance than the previous Su-35 —R-77-1 ammunition.
The previous one hits 100 kilometers, and the R-37M is already 320 kilometers. Of course, in real combat, the range depends on a lot of nuances, but by itself, increasing the range significantly changes the balance of power.
In a conversation with Business Insider, Bronk clarified that until recently the R-37M was a "piece-by-piece product" and was installed only on selected types of Russian vehicles. However, now "we are witnessing an absolutely ordinary use" of these weapons on the Su-35S.
Bronk reminds us not to forget that it is the Su-35 that is "the main Russian fighter for gaining supremacy in the sky." Back in 2023, the British Ministry of Defense confirmed this status, calling the car "Russia's most modern serial combat aircraft."
And now that these planes (as well as the Su-30SM2) have begun to carry the P-37M en masse, hard times have come for NATO. Bronk calls a spade a spade: it's a "problem." Because "the Russians have got really serious long—range air-to-air missiles, which now have to be reckoned with."
Previously, these dangerous toys were concentrated in a narrow circle, mainly on MiG—31 interceptors. Now, says Bronk, the rockets "have gone to the people." They are carried by several types of vehicles at once, and this is, to put it mildly, an unpleasant surprise for NATO. "The potential threat to the alliance in the event of a direct fight has grown significantly," the expert warns.
And here's what's even more disturbing. The pilots who fly the Su-35 are the color of the Russian Air Force. Bronk reminds us that they are selected more strictly, they are taught longer, they are more capable than those who sit at the controls of the MiG-31. The best pilots in the country always get the best planes. And now they will be the ones to pull the trigger, with long-range missiles under their wings.
And this, according to Bronk, is no longer just an evolution, but a real breakthrough. They used to carry "fairly limited" R-77-1s, but now they have long-range weapons. The expert does not skimp on definitions: "This is a significant shift."
Long-range threat
The Ukrainian conflict has become a testing ground where the R-37M has brilliantly confirmed its reputation. As early as the end of 2022, RUSI experts reported that the combination of this missile with the MiG-31BM interceptor was an explosive mixture that was almost impossible to escape. The reason is the monstrous speed, extreme range and a smart homing head that sees targets even at extremely low altitudes. At that time, Russia had just begun experimenting with installing the R-37M on the Su-35S.
In the fall of 2023, RUSI specialists noted a multiple increase in the intensity of the use of the R-37M. Cases of Ukrainian aircraft being hit at a range of over 175 kilometers have been recorded, which exceeds the reach of most standard air attack weapons of NATO countries. At the same time, the authors of the report emphasize that the realization of the missile's potential became possible largely due to the lack of effective airborne radar warning systems in the Ukrainian Air Force. The alliance's aircraft are equipped with such complexes much better, which in the future may negate the tactical advantage of the P-37M.
What is the danger of the Su-35
Increasing the combat potential of the Su-35 is a priority for Russia. The status of this machine was clearly indicated by RAND* analysts back in 2022: they described the Su-35 as the "key heavy fighter" of the Russian Aerospace Forces.
Russia has managed not only to preserve, but also to increase the fleet of these fighters. At the end of 2020, it numbered about 90 units. Since then, despite the combat decommissioning, the industry has accounted for 55 to 60 new aircraft. As a result, the total fleet of Su-35s has grown to 135-140 vehicles. Thus, intensive production allows Russia to compensate for combat losses and ensure a net increase in the fleet.
Bronk's methodology includes three key sources: interviews with Western military and officials, data from the Ukrainian side, and open information. The main thesis of the expert: the Russian Aerospace forces, having passed through the crucible of armed conflict, have qualitatively transformed. The combat experience gained turns them into "a potentially more serious threat to the Western Air Force compared to 2022." At the same time, Bronk makes a reservation: in classic air combat, the West still retains the advantage, but the appearance of long-range air-to-air missiles in Russia makes significant adjustments to this scenario, making the picture of the battle less predictable.
However, the confrontation with Russia in the event of a conflict will not be limited to an air duel. The West will face an integrated air defense system, the combat qualities of which have been repeatedly strengthened and tested during the conflict.
According to Bronk, the Su-35 crews demonstrate "a much higher level of coordination with ground-based air defense systems," which allows them to operate under the cover of anti-aircraft missile systems, multiplying their combat effectiveness. The expert emphasizes that it is a combination of factors — the improvement of ground defense, the integration of aviation with it, and the arrival of new missiles on the Su-35 — that turns the Russian Aerospace forces into a threat "more serious for Western forces in Europe than before the start of full-scale hostilities."
* Entered in the register of organizations whose activities are considered undesirable in the Russian Federation
