Russia Bolsters Air Force with New Su-35S Batch

Why It Matters

The latest deliveries demonstrate that Russia can sustain its frontline fighter fleet despite sanctions, preserving air‑superiority capacity in the Ukraine war and influencing regional power dynamics.

Key Takeaways

• Rostec confirmed another Su‑35S batch delivered to Russian Aerospace Forces.
• 2025 deliveries total estimated between 7 and 21 aircraft across five batches.
• Su‑35S features Irbis‑E radar and thrust‑vectoring AL‑41F1S engines.
• Production persists despite Western sanctions on aviation components.
• Fighter remains Russia’s primary non‑stealth tactical jet amid conflict.

Pulse Analysis

The Su‑35S is Russia’s most capable fourth‑generation‑plus fighter, marrying a powerful Irbis‑E passive electronically scanned array radar with thrust‑vectoring AL‑41F1S engines. Its twin‑engine design delivers high thrust‑to‑weight ratios, enabling aggressive maneuvering in within‑visual‑range combat while its long‑range radar supports interception of both aerial and surface threats. The platform can carry a diverse payload of air‑to‑air missiles, precision‑guided bombs and anti‑ship weapons, making it a versatile workhorse for air‑superiority, escort and strike missions across the Ukrainian front.

Rostec’s April 18 statement confirmed that United Aircraft Corporation has supplied a new‑production Su‑35S batch to the VKS, adding to a series of deliveries that stretched from March to December 2025. While the exact number remains undisclosed, analysts estimate the year’s total lies between seven and twenty‑one aircraft, typically in two‑ to three‑jet increments. The continued output of the Komsomolsk‑on‑Amur plant signals that Russia’s defence industry has largely insulated its fighter program from Western export controls, relying on domestic component substitution and a resilient supply chain to keep the line moving.

The infusion of fresh Su‑35S jets bolsters Russia’s tactical airpower at a moment when attrition from the Ukraine war strains its fleet. As the most operationally capable non‑stealth fighter in service, the Su‑35S will likely remain the backbone of Russian air operations for the foreseeable future, especially while the stealth Su‑57 progresses at a modest rate. Export customers such as China and Egypt watch the program closely, because sustained production demonstrates that Russia can continue to support existing partners despite sanctions, shaping the broader balance of air power in Eurasia.