A Comparison of Russian Fighter Jets, From the Su-57 to the MiG-35

Quick Answer

The Russian fighter jet fleet in 2026 is defined by a mix of fifth-generation stealth technology and advanced fourth-generation platforms, with the Su-57 Felon serving as the flagship and the Su-35S, Su-34, and Su-30SM2 forming the backbone of combat operations. In 2024, Russia delivered 24 new aircraft while losing 23, including 10 Su-34M frontline bombers, 6 Su-35S fighters, and 6 Su-57s.

The Su-57 received significant upgrades in 2025, including new powerplants and weapon systems, and Russia claims the first foreign delivery of the export variant has already occurred. However, operational reliability remains a concern, as demonstrated by a Su-35 crash in Crimea in 2024 and an incident at Kubinka air base.

Key Facts

• Russia delivered 24 new fighter aircraft in 2024, including 10 Su-34M bombers, 6 Su-35S fighters, and 6 Su-57 fifth-generation jets, while losing 23 aircraft in the same period.
• The Su-57 Felon, Russia's only fifth-generation stealth fighter, received upgrades in 2025 featuring new powerplants, improved weapon systems, and a new active radar.
• The Su-35S Flanker-E remains a heavily upgraded fourth-generation air superiority fighter, with deliveries continuing in 2024 and 2025.
• The Su-34 Fullback serves as a dedicated frontline bomber, with 10 Su-34M variants delivered in 2024.
• The Su-30SM2 is an advanced multirole variant of the Flanker family, delivered alongside other models in 2024.
• A Russian Su-35 fighter crashed into the sea off Sevastopol, Crimea in March 2024, and another incident was reported at Kubinka air base.
• Russia claims the first foreign delivery of the Su-57E export variant has already occurred, though details remain unconfirmed.

The Fifth-Generation Flagship Su-57 Felon Evolution

The Su-57 Felon represents Russia's most ambitious fighter program and its only operational fifth-generation aircraft. Designed to compete with the American F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II, the Su-57 incorporates stealth technology, supercruise capability, and advanced avionics.

However, its development has been marked by delays, budget constraints, and industrial challenges.

2025 Upgrades New Powerplants and Weapon Systems

In 2025, the Russian Aerospace Forces received the first batch of upgraded Su-57s featuring significant enhancements. The most notable improvement is the installation of new powerplants, which are expected to provide better thrust-to-weight ratio and improved fuel efficiency.

While early Su-57 prototypes used the interim AL-41F1 engines, the production variant was slated to receive the more advanced Izdeliye 30 engine. The 2025 upgrade suggests that the definitive powerplant has now been integrated into operational aircraft.

The weapon system improvements include integration of new air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions. The upgraded Su-57 can now carry a broader range of precision-guided weapons, including the latest stand-off missiles and glide bombs.

The new active radar system likely enhances target detection and tracking capabilities, particularly against stealthy or low-observable threats.

Export Ambitions and First Foreign Delivery

Russia has aggressively marketed the Su-57E export variant at international airshows, particularly at the Dubai Airshow. The claim that the first foreign delivery has already occurred is significant, as it would mark the first export sale of a Russian fifth-generation fighter.

However, no official confirmation of the buyer or delivery timeline has been provided. Potential customers include India, Turkey, and several Middle Eastern and North African nations.

The export success of the Su-57E is critical for Russia's defense industry, as it would help offset development costs and establish the aircraft's credibility in the global market. However, the aircraft faces stiff competition from the American F-35 and Chinese J-31, both of which have more advanced production infrastructure and established supply chains.

Production Rates and Operational Status

The delivery of 6 Su-57s in 2024 represents a modest production rate compared to American or Chinese fifth-generation fighter programs. The Russian defense industry has struggled to scale up Su-57 production due to sanctions, supply chain disruptions, and the complexity of manufacturing stealth airframes.

The 2025 upgrade batch suggests that production is continuing, but at a pace that limits the VKS's ability to rapidly modernize its fleet. The Su-57's operational record remains limited, with no confirmed combat engagements in peer-level air-to-air scenarios.

The aircraft has reportedly been used in the Ukraine conflict for stand-off precision strikes, but its stealth characteristics and sensor fusion capabilities have not been tested against modern air defenses in a contested environment.

The Fourth-Generation Workhorses Su-35S and Su-30SM2

While the Su-57 captures headlines, the bulk of Russian fighter operations rely on heavily upgraded fourth-generation platforms. The Su-35S and Su-30SM2 represent the pinnacle of the Flanker family, combining the Su-27's airframe with modern avionics, engines, and weapons.

Su-35S The Air Superiority Specialist

The Su-35S Flanker-E is a dedicated air superiority fighter featuring thrust-vectoring engines, an advanced Irbis-E passive electronically scanned array radar, and a comprehensive electronic warfare suite. The aircraft can carry up to eight air-to-air missiles and has a combat radius of approximately 1,600 kilometers.

Its supermaneuverability allows it to perform extreme aerodynamic maneuvers that can defeat missiles and confuse enemy radars. Deliveries of the Su-35S continued in 2024, with 6 aircraft delivered as part of the annual production batch.

The aircraft has been used extensively in the Ukraine conflict, primarily for air-to-ground strike missions and combat air patrols. However, the Su-35S has also suffered losses, including a crash off Crimea in March 2024 and an incident at Kubinka air base, raising questions about maintenance practices and pilot training.

Su-30SM2 The Multirole Flanker

The Su-30SM2 is an upgraded variant of the Su-30SM, featuring the same Irbis-E radar as the Su-35S and compatibility with a wider range of precision-guided munitions. The aircraft is designed for both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, making it a versatile platform for the VKS.

Deliveries of the Su-30SM2 were included in the 2024 production batch, alongside the Su-35S and Su-57. The Su-30SM2 benefits from shared components with the Su-35S, simplifying logistics and maintenance.

The aircraft's two-seat configuration makes it suitable for training and complex strike missions requiring a dedicated weapon systems officer. However, the Su-30SM2 lacks the Su-35S's thrust-vectoring capability, limiting its maneuverability in close-quarters combat.

Operational Challenges and Losses

The loss of 23 aircraft in 2024, while delivering 24, highlights the intense operational tempo of the Russian Air Force. The Su-35S crash off Crimea in March 2024 was attributed to pilot error or technical malfunction, while the Kubinka air base incident involved either a Su-30SM or Su-35.

These losses underscore the risks associated with high operational tempo and the difficulty of maintaining complex fourth-generation fighters under wartime conditions. The Su-34M bomber, with 10 delivered in 2024, has suffered particularly heavy losses in the Ukraine conflict due to its low-altitude strike profile.

The aircraft's role as a frontline bomber exposes it to man-portable air defense systems and medium-range SAMs, resulting in a high attrition rate.

The Su-34 Fullback Russia's Premier Strike Platform

The Su-34 Fullback is a dedicated strike fighter designed for deep interdiction and close air support missions. Based on the Su-27 airframe, the Su-34 features an armored cockpit, side-by-side seating for the pilot and weapon systems officer, and a large internal fuel capacity for extended range.

Su-34M Upgrade Program

The Su-34M is the latest variant of the Fullback, featuring upgraded avionics, improved electronic warfare systems, and compatibility with precision-guided munitions. The delivery of 10 Su-34Ms in 2024 indicates that the upgrade program is continuing despite wartime losses.

The Su-34M can carry a wide range of air-to-ground weapons, including glide bombs, cruise missiles, and anti-radiation missiles. The aircraft's side-by-side seating configuration is unique among Russian fighters and improves crew coordination during complex strike missions.

The armored cockpit provides enhanced crew protection against ground fire, though the Su-34 has still suffered significant losses in the Ukraine conflict.

Strike Capabilities and Mission Profile

The Su-34 is primarily used for precision strikes against ground targets using stand-off weapons. The aircraft can carry up to 12,000 kilograms of ordnance and has a combat radius of approximately 1,100 kilometers.

Its terrain-following radar allows low-altitude penetration of enemy air defenses, though this profile also increases vulnerability to MANPADS and short-range SAMs. The Su-34's electronic warfare suite includes the Khibiny pod, which can jam enemy radars and communications.

However, the effectiveness of Russian electronic warfare systems has been debated, with some reports suggesting that Ukrainian air defenses have successfully engaged Su-34s despite these countermeasures.

Production and Replacement Challenges

The Su-34 production line at the Novosibirsk Aircraft Plant has been operating at a limited capacity due to sanctions and component shortages. The delivery of 10 Su-34Ms in 2024 represents a significant portion of Russia's fighter production, but it may not be sufficient to replace combat losses.

The VKS has lost dozens of Su-34s in the Ukraine conflict, and the aircraft's high operational tempo continues to strain the fleet. The Su-34's role as a frontline bomber is unlikely to be replaced by the Su-57, which is optimized for stealthy penetration and air superiority.

As a result, the Su-34 will remain a critical component of Russian strike capability for the foreseeable future, despite its vulnerability to modern air defenses.

The MiG-35 The Lightweight Multirole Contender

The MiG-35 Fulcrum-F is a lightweight multirole fighter derived from the MiG-29K/KUB carrier-based aircraft. Designed for export and domestic use, the MiG-35 features an AESA radar, advanced electronic warfare systems, and compatibility with a wide range of air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons.

Development History and Export Prospects

The MiG-35 was developed as a replacement for the MiG-29 and to compete with the American F-16 and Swedish Gripen in the export market. The aircraft made its public debut at the 2017 Moscow Air Show and has since been offered to several countries, including India, Egypt, and Algeria.

However, export sales have been limited, with only a few confirmed orders. The MiG-35's AESA radar, the Zhuk-AE, provides improved target detection and tracking compared to the passive electronically scanned array radars used on earlier MiG-29 variants.

The aircraft also features an optoelectronic targeting system, helmet-mounted display, and advanced electronic warfare suite.

Comparison with Su-35S and Su-30SM2

The MiG-35 is smaller and lighter than the Su-35S and Su-30SM2, making it more suitable for operations from austere airfields and smaller runways. The aircraft has a combat radius of approximately 800 kilometers and can carry up to 6,500 kilograms of ordnance.

However, the MiG-35 lacks the Su-35S's supermaneuverability and the Su-30SM2's two-seat configuration. The MiG-35's primary advantage is its lower operating cost and simpler maintenance requirements compared to the larger Flanker variants.

This makes it an attractive option for air forces that need a capable multirole fighter without the expense of operating a heavy air superiority platform.

Current Status and Future Role

As of 2026, the MiG-35 has not been delivered to the Russian Aerospace Forces in significant numbers. The aircraft remains primarily an export product, with the VKS focusing its procurement on the Su-57, Su-35S, and Su-34M.

The MiG-35 may find a niche in states that operate the MiG-29 and want an upgrade path that retains commonality with their existing logistics and training infrastructure. The MiG-35's future will depend on export orders and the ability of the Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG to secure production contracts.

Without a major domestic order, the MiG-35 program may struggle to achieve economies of scale and remain competitive in the global fighter market.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most advanced Russian fighter jet in service?

The Su-57 Felon is Russia's most advanced fighter jet in service, featuring fifth-generation stealth technology, supercruise capability, and advanced avionics. The 2025 upgrade added new powerplants, improved weapon systems, and a new active radar, further enhancing its combat capabilities.

How many Su-57s has Russia produced?

Based on available information, Russia delivered 6 Su-57s in 2024. Total production numbers are not publicly confirmed, but the VKS is believed to operate fewer than 30 Su-57s as of 2026, with production continuing at a modest pace.

What happened with the Su-35 crash off Crimea in 2024?

A Russian Su-35 Flanker fighter jet crashed into the sea off Sevastopol, Crimea in March 2024. Footage showed the jet on fire before spiraling into the water.

The cause was not officially confirmed, but pilot error or technical malfunction were suspected.

Has Russia exported the Su-57 to other countries?

Russia claims that the first foreign delivery of the Su-57E export variant has already occurred, though no buyer or delivery details have been confirmed. The aircraft has been marketed at international airshows, particularly in the Middle East.

What is the difference between the Su-35S and Su-30SM2?

The Su-35S is a dedicated air superiority fighter with thrust-vectoring engines and supermaneuverability, while the Su-30SM2 is a multirole two-seat variant optimized for strike missions. Both share the Irbis-E radar and many common components, but the Su-35S has a higher thrust-to-weight ratio and better maneuverability.

Reference Notes

Information in this article is based on publicly available sources. Some details may change over time.

Verify with official sources before acting. Delivery numbers, crash reports, and upgrade details are drawn from defense publications and official statements as cited in the reference material.

The operational status and performance characteristics of Russian fighter jets are subject to ongoing developments in the Ukraine conflict and broader geopolitical environment.