New MiG-35 Fighter Undergoing State Tests Prior to Entering Russian Air Force

Russia’s MiG-35 fighter jet, described as a major upgrade over the MiG-29, is currently undergoing state trials—a precursor to entering service with the Russian Aerospace Forces (RuAF).

Recently, military analysts took note as Russia's Rosoboronexport displayed a model of the MiG-35 at Peru’s SITDEF 2025 exhibition, suggesting the program remains active.

“The aircraft is undergoing state trials,” a United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) source told Defensemirror.com, confirming that the latest version of the MiG-35 is progressing through Russia’s official testing phase. However, the source did not disclose how many aircraft are involved or when the platform is expected to enter RuAF service.

The MiG-35 model’s appearance in a promotional video released on social media ahead of the International Defense Technology Exhibition in Lima, Peru, has renewed interest in its potential induction into the RuAF. The aircraft is positioned as a competitor to the F-16, the Saab Gripen, and the Chinese J-10C.

Despite Peru’s recent shift toward Western platforms, especially Sweden’s Gripen fighter, Russia’s decision to showcase the MiG-35 in Lima points to a broader strategy to challenge U.S. influence and appeal to Latin American nations seeking more affordable alternatives.

Developed from the MiG-29 airframe, the MiG-35 is marketed as a 4++ generation multirole fighter capable of air superiority, ground attack, and reconnaissance. It features upgraded avionics, AI-powered target recognition system, new Zhuk-AE Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, thrust-vectoring engines for enhanced maneuverability, and a versatile weapons suite that includes R-77 air-to-air missiles and Kh-31 anti-ship missiles.

Russia first unveiled the MiG-35 in 2017 at the MAKS air show in Moscow. Since then, few updates have emerged regarding the program’s progress. Its reappearance in a recent promotional video and the model’s display in Lima suggest that the aircraft may soon be inducted into the RuAF and offered for export.

The operational use of MiG-29s by Ukraine—modified to deploy Western weapons such as SCALP missiles and precision-guided bombs—has not gone unnoticed in Russia. The MiG-35 is reported to be 25% lighter and capable of carrying 20% more weapons than the MiG-29, while being more maneuverable than the heavier Sukhoi fighters.

Compared to the MiG-29M, it features 25% more thrust, a more advanced radar, an improved fire control system, and upgraded sensors for better target detection. Additional enhancements include auto-landing capability and a G-force protection system to assist pilots.

In 2020, Russia announced it would offer an upgraded MiG-35 for India’s light fighter jet competition, featuring automatic landing and a G-force protection system. The G-force system works with the helmet display to reduce pilot distraction and lets pilots exceed critical G-force levels by 1–2G or disable the system if needed. MiG Corporation also developed a digital landing control system for the MiG-35, tested to help pilots land safely in poor weather by enabling automated descent along the glide path until visibility improves.