The Su-35 Flanker-E is a 4th generation ++ fighter that is not comparable to the F-22 or F-35 that should be on a different level. But the Su-35 has been shot down in Ukraine, and the west has used to devalue its capability.
Another is the constant mention of Russian planes as inferior in western media that does not analyze Russian equipment as deserved.
Russia's Best Fighter in the Skies of Ukraine
Surface-to-air missiles purportedly shot it down, and at least one MiG-29 was downed in combat, reported View60s.
The tactics will suppress Ukrainian air defenses rather than perform air superiority operations. This heavy fighter carries more weapons than the F-15, which is equal.
Let's take a closer look at what it's been up to in Ukraine to evaluate if it lives up to its reputation. In early March, the heavy fighter had a run-in with at least one Ukrainian MiG-29 and an S-300 surface-to-air missile, noted Defense News.
According to the Ukrainian military, it did shoot down the Flanker-E, but that's alleged. The reverse and less capable MiG-29 won over the modern fighter.
The Ukraine military said it was far better than the Russians overall.
Flankers Payback Kyiv
The Su-35S jets started to carry out suppression missions versus hostile air defenses, apart from dogfighting. The Russian Ministry of Defense released a photo of a Su-35S fitted with two anti-radiation missiles on March 8, cited 19Fortyfive.
The Su-35S Su-(35 Flanker-E) is armed with Kh-31P missiles to knock down radar installations. The Kh-31P is a supersonic weapon that travels at MACH 1.8 and therefore is resistant to countermeasures.
The heavy fighter is derived from the Su-27M but has better thrust-vectoring engines for aerial agility.
'Powered by the Saturn AL-41F1S turbofans that can outpace other 4th-generation jets, with a top speed of 1,550 miles per hour and a maximum altitude of 59,050 feet. Some say the plane can play with the F-15 and the best fighters of NATO nations.
It is used as a fourth-generation + + heavy fighter that is not short of weapons for any mission.
It can be equipped with missiles and smart bombs for air and ground attacks to punish targets, even a 30-mm autocannon if it comes down to chasing down and tearing apart a Ukrainian MiG-29.
Capable of carrying 17,630 pounds of payload with 12-external points; from air-to-air missiles, air to ground, even ship killers to kill NATO ships. Also, smart weapons have TV, laser, and satellite bombs.
In Syria, the Su-35S did close air support when Russia intervened there in the civil war.
Su-35S Worst Features
Su-35S is equipped with a new Irbis-E passive electronically scanned array radar that tracks 30- targets around 217 miles beyond visual range.
Military Watch Magazine says the Su-35 operates in large squadrons and shares target data through data links, Improving awareness of the battlefield.
The Su-35 Flanker-E is a capable aircraft but is only limited by its pilots and strategy applied; so, it is premature to judge it, but if it meets an F-35 or F-22 in a visual range, that would be interesting.
