Russia’s Largest Fighter Factory Delivers New Su-35 Fighters For Frontline Service

　　The Russian state run United Aircraft Corporation has delivered a new batch of Su-35S fighter aircraft  to the Russian Aerospace Forces, following sustained efforts over the past four years to significantly increase the aircraft’s scale of production. Announcing the delivery, the corporation stated: ”The United Aircraft Corporation has delivered a batch of new Su-35S multirole fighter jets to the Russian Aerospace Forces. The 4++ generation aircraft have completed a full cycle of factory testing, were tested in various operating modes by pilots from the Russian Defense Ministry, and have flown to their home airfield.”

　　Russian Aerospace Forces Su-35 Delivered in April 2026

　　Commenting on the delivery of Su-35s, United Aircraft Corporation CEO Vadim Badekha observed: “Unconditional fulfilment of the state defence procurement orders is our top priority. This primarily concerns operational-tactical aircraft. Continuous improvement and optimisation of production processes ensures the required production rates, meeting the Russian Aerospace Forces’ needs for cutting-edge aircraft systems.” Three services currently operate the Su-35. including the Russian Aerospace Forces, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force, and the Algerian Air Force which received an estimated 18 fighters in 2025. Algeria that year also became the first foreign client to receive the Su-35’s successor, the Su-57 fifth generation fighter, which is a considerably more costly aircraft that integrates more radars, more advanced avionics, and radar evading stealth capabilities.

　　Su-35 Production at the Komsomolsk on Amur Aircraft Plant

　　Commenting on the Su-35’s capabilities at the time of the latest delivery, state defence conglomerate Rostec observed that the fighter was designed to achieve air superiority and engage ground infrastructure targets at significant distances from the base airfield. The aircraft’s range is particularly long, far exceeding that of any Western fighter type, with a combat radius of over 2000 kilometres when fully armed and flying without external fuel tanks. Further commenting on the aircraft’s capabilities, Rostec First Deputy CEO Vladimir Artyakov observed: “These fighters are among the most effective modern combat aircraft in the world today, holding a record in the number of enemy military aircraft intercepted. The aircraft have proven themselves in service. Pilots note the high performance of the Su-35S, which is the most objective assessment of military equipment.”

　　Russian Aerospace Forces Su-35 Delivered in April 2026

　　State media cited Russian Aerospace Forces pilots and crews noting that the Su-35 has been employed for intercepting aerial targets at long ranges, providing cover for strike groups and ground facilities, destroying unmanned aerial vehicles, conducting precision strikes, and carrying out reconnaissance. The Su-35 has been widely assessed to have been more intensively combat tested than any other post-Cold War fighter type in air-to-air engagements, primarily due to its operations in the Ukrainian theatre. The fighters have frequently been involved in engagements with NATO members’ fighter aircraft, with the Royal Norwegian Air Force having in early March deployed two F-35A fifth generation fighters to engage Su-35s and the Tu-95MS strategic bombers they were escorting in international airspace over the Barents Sea.

　　Russian Knights Su-35 on Bomber Escort Mission Over the Barents Sea

　　Alongside deliveries to Algeria, multiple batches of Su-35 fighters were delivered to the Russian Aerospace Forces in 2025. including in late December, early November, late September, mid-August, late June, mid-May, and late March. It remains highly possible that a lower number will be delivered in 2026. due to the expected allocation of a portion of production capacity to meet orders from Iran and Ethiopia, which have purchased 48 and six of the fighters respectively. In November 2025 it was reported that the first 16 fighters ordered by Iran had already begun production. Increased exports of the Su-35 are considered a primary factor allowing Russia to reverse the significant annual decline in defence exports that began in 2022. with 2025 marking a major turning point in the program’s previously underwhelming record on foreign markets.

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