IAF Pilots Fly Mikoyan MiG-35 Fighter at Russia's MAKS 2019

Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots flew twin-seat version of Mikoyan MiG-35D fighter at MAKS-2019 air show, being at Zhukovsky airport near Moscow, on Thursday.

"The Indian delegation were shown MiG-35 & Su-57 aircraft. Indian Air Force test pilots G/C BS Reddy and W/C FL Roy got an opportunity to fly two sorties on MiG-35 aircraft during the visit" IAF said in a statement Thursday.

Export version of the MiG-35 aircraft, reportedly upgraded to have capabilities close to fifth generation fighters, was unveiled at MAKS.

The upgraded MiG-35 comes in single-seat and twin-seat variants, has a sturdier airframe and is fitted with a new AESA radar. The latest Russian air-to-air and air-to-ground high-precision weapons have been integrated with the plane and it has an increased range with more internal fuel capacity, according to MiG General Director Ilya Tarasenko.

The fighter can carry missiles and bombs up to 6,500 kg on its nine hardpoints, and is also armed with the 30 mm Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-30-1 autocannon with 150 rounds. Capable of a maximum speed of 2,400 km (over Mach 2), the MiG-35's range is 2,400 km which can go up to 6,000 km with aerial refuelling. The plane's combat range is 1,000 km and its service ceiling is 19 km.