Russia’s Su-35S Fighter Jet Being Supplied to Foreign Customers: Rostec

Rostec Corporation, Russia’s defense enterprises holding company has disclosed that the Su-35S fighter aircraft is being supplied to foreign customers.

As part of a report on the Su-35 series of aircraft, Rostec said, “the aircraft is now supplied both for the needs of the Russian Ministry of Defense and to foreign customers. Serial production of the Su-35/35S is carried out at the Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aviation Plant of the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC).”

The Su-35S performed well in the Syrian conflict, carried out missions during the air strike, and recently accompanied Air Force One of the Russian President during a flight to the U.A.E. and Saudi Arabia, it said.

While Rostec did not disclose the foreign customers to which the Su-35S was being supplied to, recent reports said Iran has received or is in the process of receiving the 4.5 generation aircraft.

While some Iranian officials have been quoted as saying that deals to buy the Su-35 aircraft and KA-52 helicopters have been wrapped up, there are no reports of Tehran actually receiving the aircraft or even a contract having been signed.

During the past few years, Russia has lost deals with Egypt and Indonesia for sale of the Su-35. The two countries canceled their purchase under sanctions threat from the United States.

New features in Su-35S

Rostec revealed that recent improvements to the Su-35S include a “master-slave” scheme, in which the group commander has complete information about the other aircraft flying together- about the amount of fuel, weapons stock and other vital mission information.