Key Points – The Su-35 Flanker-E is arguably one of the greatest fighters in use by the Russian Air Force.
The aircraft builds upon the legacy of the Su-27 and improves upon it significantly.
With advanced avionics, supermaneuverability, and a complex electronic suit, the Su-35 is well equipped to deal with the challenges of modern warfare.
However, despite the “Super Flanker’s” impressive specs, it too is vulnerable.
In a recent event, a Russian Su-35 was reportedly ambushed by a Ukrainian F-16.
Su-35: How Ukraine Downed One of Russia’s Most Advanced Jets
On June 7th, it was reported that a Su-35 was shot down while it was operating in the Kursk region.
Sources initially conflicted on how the fighter was shot down, with some claiming that it was a SAM ambush and others claiming it was an air-to-air kill. The Ukrainian Air Force (UAF) later claimed that the kill was accomplished by an F-16.
According to the UAF, fighters of the Ukrainian Air Force attacked Russian positions and lured out a Su-35 that was scrambled to intercept them.
The Russian fighter was then ambushed by an F-16 and hit it with an AIM-120 air-to-air missile. The Russian pilot reportedly ejected safely.
This event marks the 5th or 6th confirmed loss of a Su-35 fighter that has been shot down since the beginning of the war. Prior to this event, at least seven Su-35s have been reportedly shot down either by Ukrainian air defenses or by friendly fire.
Not all of these claims have been confirmed, so take some claims with a grain of salt. However, the Su-35 is one of the most advanced and expensive fighters the Russian Air Force has fielded. Each loss is a significant victory for Ukraine.
Su-35: The Origin of the Super Flanker
The Su-35 began as a modernization of the infamous Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker, a fourth-generation air superiority fighter developed by the Soviet Union in the 1970s and 1980s to counter the American F-15 Eagle.
The Su-27 was a competent aircraft, known for its agility, range, and powerful radar. However, by the early 1980s, the Soviet military recognized the need for an upgraded version that could incorporate more advanced technology and maintain parity with Western advancements.
In 1982, the Sukhoi Design Bureau began work on an improved version of the Su-27, designated the Su-27M (factory code T-10M). This aircraft featured significant upgrades, including canards for improved maneuverability, a digital fly-by-wire system, and a multi-function radar that allowed for multi-role capabilities. The prototype of the Su-27M flew on June 28, 1988.
From Su-27M to Su-35
Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, the Russian aerospace industry faced severe financial constraints. Sukhoi rebranded the Su-27M as the Su-35 to attract foreign buyers and continue development. This version retained the advanced features of the Su-27M but was marketed as a new, export-ready fighter.
Fourteen Su-35 prototypes were built during the 1990s, and one of them was fitted with thrust-vectoring engines and redesignated as the Su-37. Because of its financial challenges, the Su-27M was never put into production despite its advanced capabilities. The lessons learned from the experience proved invaluable and influenced the design of later Su-35 variants.
In the early 2000s, Sukhoi initiated a second, more comprehensive modernization of the Su-27 platform. This effort aimed to create a competent interim fighter while Russia developed its fifth-generation stealth aircraft, the Su-57. The result was the Su-35S, a deeply upgraded version of the Su-27 that incorporated many technologies intended for the Su-57.
The Su-35S made its first flight on February 19, 2008, and entered service with the Russian Air Force in 2014. Unlike its predecessors, the Su-35S ditched the canards in favor of thrust-vectoring engines, which provided superior maneuverability without compromising stealth characteristics.
It also featured a new digital cockpit, advanced electronic warfare systems, and the Irbis-E passive electronically scanned array (PESA) radar, which is capable of tracking multiple targets at long ranges.
Why the Su-35 is No Joke
The Su-35 is often classified as a 4.5-generation fighter, bridging the gap between fourth-generation aircraft like the Su-27 and fifth-generation stealth fighters.
It is powered by two Saturn AL-41F1S engines with thrust-vectoring nozzles, enabling it to perform extreme maneuvers such as the Pugachev’s Cobra and the Kulbit. The aircraft’s avionics suite includes a glass cockpit with multifunction displays, a digital fly-by-wire system, and sophisticated navigation and targeting systems. Its Irbis-E radar can detect targets at ranges up to 400 kilometers and track up to 30 targets simultaneously.
The Su-35 is also equipped with various air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions, including R-77 and R-73 missiles, Kh-31 anti-ship missiles, and precision-guided bombs. The aircraft incorporates radar-absorbent materials, electronic countermeasures, and a radar warning receiver to enhance survivability.
The Russian Air Force is the primary operator of the Su-35, with over 100 units in service. The aircraft has seen combat deployment in Syria, where it provided air cover for Russian operations and demonstrated its capabilities in real-world scenarios.
China became the first foreign customer of the Su-35, ordering 24 aircraft in 2015. The People’s Liberation Army Air Force received the final batch in 2018. While the Su-35’s export success has been somewhat limited due to its high cost and the emergence of fifth-generation alternatives, it remains a potent option for countries seeking a high-performance, non-Western fighter jet.
About the Author:
Isaac Seitz, a Defense Columnist, graduated from Patrick Henry College’s Strategic Intelligence and National Security program. He has also studied Russian at Middlebury Language Schools and has worked as an intelligence Analyst in the private sector.
Fighter Jet Fails
Russia’s Su-57 Felon Stealth Fighter Is a Waste of Rubles
403Forbidden
June 9, 2025 at 11:04 pm
A bigg biggah misstatement.
Su-35 a true Russian fighter boondoggle.
No AESA, no 360° situational awareness, no SATCOM.