Less than a month after the last delivery, the Russian Aerospace Forces received another batch of Sukhoi Su-35S fighters from the Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aviation Plant. This was reported in the latest official statement by the state-owned consortium Rostec, complemented by various images and videos circulated by the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC). However, while the statement followed the general guidelines, it was emphasized by agencies and companies that this delivery of fighter aircraft was made while the production of new Sukhoi Su-57 Felon continues and prepares for new deliveries.
Firstly, the reception of new Su-35S fighters by the Russian Aerospace Forces adds to the first delivery of the year recorded last April. Thanks to a viral video on social media, the setting up and starting of the two units can be observed, which presumably departed for their base units, although not mentioned.
Officially designated as Su-35S, it is the most modern version in service of the Russian Aerospace Forces fighter developed from the renowned Sukhoi Su-27. Among the new features of this variant, the inclusion of new AL-41F1S engines stands out, along with updates to avionics and radar. The first deliveries to the VKS took place in 2012, with various contracts registered for the purchase of new aircraft from the UAC by the Russian Ministry of Defense.
Regarding this delivery, the CEO of UAC, Yuri Slyusar, stated: “The Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aviation Plant has achieved a steady pace of aircraft production within the framework of this year’s program. This is the second batch of fighter aircraft sent to the Russian Aerospace Forces. The workers of the Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aviation Plant are fulfilling their obligations to deliver new aviation equipment on time and are working on creating new series of Su-35 and Su-57 fighters.”
The mention of fifth-generation fighters bears similarities to other events last year when, also within the framework of the delivery of Su-35 family fighters, the UAC indicated that it was preparing to send another batch of Su-57s to the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS). These statements were made in late November last year, with the last batch of stealth fighter aircraft received in December.
Although an exact number is not available, with the last batch in December, the VKS, according to estimates from Open Source Information, would have in service a number exceeding ten Su-57 units. These numbers are consistent with other Western stealth fighters in service, both in production and not, such as the F-22 and F-35. This number also pales in comparison to the People’s Republic of China, which, according to estimates based on serial numbers and production batches, has a number ranging from 200 J-20 fighters, including units in service and serviceable condition.
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