The Su-35S is the most advanced fighter in operational service in Russia and has been used in combat in Syria, Russia’s shop window on its latest technology.
FOUR Su-35S (NATO reporting name ‘Flanker-E’) fighters were deployed to Syria in late January 2016 when Russia strengthened its contingent’s fighter escort capability after a Su-24 bomber had been shot down by a Turkish F-16 in November 2015. In addition to R-27 and R-73 air-to-air missiles, the Su-35S aircraft have been seen operating with the new R-77-1 medium-range AAM that recently entered service. They were seen sporadically with 250kg (551lb) iron bombs. There are no photographs showing guided air-to-ground weapons, although Russian sources claim that the Su-35S has used them in Syria. The aircraft there typically fly with Khibiny jamming pods.
Aircrews in Syria rotate with the aim of giving combat experience to all the air force’s Su-35S pilots. The Russian deputyminister of defence Yuri Borisov told Russian TV in August 2017 that ‘in the Syrian campaign the Su-35 received the best marks’. He added, ‘It is not inferior even to the first-stage Su-57.’
In the Russian Air Force, the Su-35S is positioned as a lower-cost addition to the fifth-g…
