The Sukhoi Su-35 (NATO reporting name: Flanker-E) Also known as Super Flanker, is a designation for two separate, heavily upgraded derivatives of the Su-27 'Flanker'. They are single-seat, twin-engine, supermaneuverable multirole fighters, designed by Sukhoi and built by Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Production Association (KnAAPO).

The first variant was designed during the 1980s, when Sukhoi was seeking to upgrade its high-performance Su-27, and was initially known as the Su-27M. Later re-designated Su-35, this derivative incorporated aerodynamic refinements to increase manoeuvrability, enhanced avionics, longer range, and more powerful engines. The first Su-35 prototype, converted from a Su-27, made its maiden flight in June 1988. More than a dozen of these were built, some of which were used by the Russian Knights aerobatic demonstration team. The first Su-35 design was later modified into the Su-37, which possessed thrust vectoring engines and was used as a technology demonstrator. A sole Su-35UB two-seat trainer was built in the late 1990s that strongly resembled the Su-30MK family.

In 2003, Sukhoi embarked on a second modernization of the Su-27 to produce what the company calls a 4++ generation fighter that would bridge the gap between legacy fighters and the upcoming fifth generation Sukhoi PAK FA. This derivative, while omitting the canards and air brake, incorporates a reinforced airframe, improved avionics and radar, thrust-vectoring engines, and a reduced frontal radar signature. In 2008 the revamped variant, erroneously named the Su-35BM in the media, began its flight test programme that would involve four prototypes, one of which was lost in 2009. The Russian Air Force has ordered 48 production units, designated Su-35S, of the newly revamped Su-35. Both Su-35 models marketed to many countries, including Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, and South Korea, but so far have not attracted any export orders. Sukhoi originally projected that it would export more than 160 units of the second modernized Su-35 worldwide.

Pictured here is a 1:72 scale replica of a Chinese Peoples Liberation Army Air Force Sukhoi Su-35S "Flanker-E" multirole aircraft. Pre-order! Ship Date: December 2024.

Dimensions:
Wingspan: 8-inches
Length: 12-inches

Release Date: ?

Historical Account: "From Russia with Love" - Russia has completed shipments to China of 24 Sukhoi Su-35S heavyweight single-seat multi-role fighters under a $2.5 billion contract that was finalized in November 2015. According to local media, the final batch was delivered to China in November and was accepted the following month. However, Russia will continue to ship additional equipment that was covered by the contract -- including air-launched weapons -- through to 2020.

An initial batch of four Su-35S aircraft was delivered in December 2016. The following year, the customer accepted 10 aircraft in two batches of five. The type officially entered service with the PLAAF (People's Liberation Army Air Force) in April 2018. This year deliveries took place in June and November, each time of five aircraft.

The Su-35S aircraft joined the PLAAF's 6th Aviation Brigade based at the Suji air force base in Guangdong province, in China's southeast. This unit previously operated Su-27SK single-seat interceptors. Reportedly, the customer decided to keep the original Cyrillic symbols on the LCD screens of the Su-35S cockpit instead of using English language or Chinese hieroglyphs so as to maintain the integrity of the pilot's information field.

Earlier this month, China's Central Television (CCTV) released a TV report from Suji, depicting the aircraft and personnel. The pilots appeared wearing Russian-made ZSh series "protection helmets," while aircraft carried a mix of Russian and Chinese air-launched munitions. Free-fall bombs and unguided rockets are of Chinese origin. In the video, the aircraft appeared with a pair of electronic warfare (EW) pods on the wingtips in the shape of the L-265 Khibiny-M self-protection suite from the Moscow-based KRET corporation.

China is the first overseas customer for the type and the second operator after the Russian Air and Space Force (VKS). The latter ordered an initial batch of 48 Su-35S fighters in 2009 and added a follow-on contract for 50 in December 2015. Deliveries are due for completion in 2020. On December 11th, Sukhoi's patron United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) issued a press release noting acceptance by the Russian defense ministry of the 100th Su-35S to be assembled at the plant in Komsomolsk-upon-Amur.