To sell the MiG-35 to foreign buyers that might be attracted if it has the R-37M Hypersonic missile on its pods.
Earlier MiG-35 Version Not as Successful
The Fulcrum-F is another term for the jet, which is different and stands apart from other Russian planes. Though it might be a hit if marketed the right way, states Air Force Technology.
It's a medium-heavy fighter with only about six units made; hopefully, it will encourage some interest from any foreign customer, reported Bulgarian Military.
Russia's plans have been substantially different from years ago. The Russian Air Force in the five military districts of the nation was to be resupplied with at least 36 fighters.
Unfortunately, Moscow began to withdraw all of its medium-heavy fighter ventures gradually. Its role as the heir apparent to Russia's Cold War flagship, the MiG-29, is not trendy, even though some Western experts persist in speculating why it is this jet that Moscow does not wish to advance.
All too often, primarily Russian references publicize impressive attributes of the combatant. The greatest problem, if this can be termed a paradox and not ineptitude, would be that the MiG-35 emerged at such a time of intense competition throughout world markets, but this is different from what is contradictory.
Moscow could not be certain of its preferences if somehow the MiG-29's successor is in competing directly with the MiG-29M.
R-37M Could Change Its Fortunes
All of the strange queries, which have caused more wry grins, are predicated on the fanciful mindset of the Russian government concerning the "wandering future" of its air force stock.
This is a good feature that the MiG-29 can't have, yet a Russian newspaper says that the MiG-35 has it. Underneath the wing of the MiG-35, not just another projectile could be accommodated, but the R-37M superfast missile. It's also called the Vympel by Russia or the NATO name Axehead.
An Unmatched Missile
The projectile is a Mach 6 for air-to-air, a type for which neither the US nor China has yet developed a match. Specifically designed to be handled and initiated by the MiG-31, the mainstay of the Russian air force.
A few Russian fighters can utilize it. It has recently become definite that the projectile is consistent and could be incorporated under the wings of the Su-35 and Su-30SM/SM2, per Military Today.
Regrettably, the plane is smaller than the three warplanes noted so far and can carry two missiles. Is this efficient? A few experts believe, which is likely correct, that the R-37M on the MiG-35 will have a different impact once provisioned on the MiG-31.
Especially in comparison to any Russian fighter jet, the MiG-31 flies at such a high elevation and a considerably faster speed. Correspondingly, the Fulcrum F-pod missiles have much shorter ranges.
Further, the weight issue, the capacity of the plane's sensor suite to aim a missile at ranges of 400 km, the R-37M's maximum range, continues to remain a serious question, and fighters will probably be required to depend primarily on network access with other assets which have more potent detectors.
Arming the MiG 35 with an R-37M Missile could be what makes buyers pick up the jet.
