New Russian Su-35 Batch Carry Out Training Flights in Northern Regions - Fighters to Deploy to Western Military District

A new batch of Su-35 heavyweight fighter jets has seen footage of one of its first training flights publicised by Russian media outlet Zvezda TV, shortly after its commissioning into frontline service by the Russian Air Force. These were reportedly the first Su-35 jets ever to be deployed to Russia’s western military district, and are scheduled for drills in the area from February 4th following training flights in the country's northern regions. The Su-35 is currently Russia’s most sophisticated fully operational class of fighter, and entered service in 2014 alongside the heavier Su-34 strike fighter. Over 100 Su-35s have been produced, the vast majority for the Russian Air Force, with China, Indonesia and Egypt also having placed orders for the advanced jets. The Su-35 is designed for high end air to air combat, and is thought to be capable of taking on all Western fighters currently in service including the U.S. Air Force’s elite F-22 Raptors.

The Su-35 was previously deployed for combat missions in Syria to provide air cover for strike missions against islamist militant groups, and is derived from the Soviet Su-27 Flanker design. Some of the most notable improvements on the original Flanker design include a lighter and more durable high composite airframe, a more powerful Irbis-E radar and infra red tracking systems, new AL-41 engines with three dimensional thrust vectoring capabilities and new avionics and electronic warfare systems.  The Su-35 has continued to integrate new technologies since its entry into service, including new Kh-35 anti ship cruise missiles, new R-37M hypersonic air to air missiles and possibly a new AESA radar derived from that of the Su-57 in the near future. Improvements to the design have been made based on operational experience in the Syrian theatre, and the aircraft is set to provide a significant boost to the aerial warfare capabilities of the western military district. It has not been confirmed whether the Su-35’s induction will lead to an older fighter class being phased out of service in the district, and if so which, or whether it will represent an expansion of the fighter fleet deployed to the area.