Su-35 vs MiG-35: Differences Between Russian Sukhoi Su-35 and Mikoyan MiG-35 Fighter Jets

Mikoyan MiG-35

The Mikoyan MiG-35 is a Russian multirole fighter that is designed by Mikoyan, a division of the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC). Marketed as a 4++ generation jet fighter, it is a further development of the MiG-29M/M2 and MiG-29K/KUB fighters. The first prototype was a modification of the aircraft that previously served as a MiG-29M2 model demonstrator. Mikoyan first officially presented the MiG-35 internationally during the 2007 Aero India air show.

The single-seat version is designated MiG-35S and the two-seat version MiG-35UB. The fighter has vastly improved avionics and weapon systems, notably new precision-guided targeting capability and the uniquely designed optical locator system, which relieves the aircraft from relying on ground-controlled interception systems and enables it to conduct independent multirole missions. There is also an option for AESA radar.

Sukhoi Su-35

The Sukhoi Su-35 is the designation for two improved derivatives of the Su-27 air-defense fighter. They are single-seat, twin-engine, supermaneuverable aircraft, designed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau and built by the Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Plant.

Su-35 has a redesigned cockpit and weapons-control system compared to the Su-27M and features thrust-vectoring engines in place of the canards. The type made its first flight in February 2008; although the aircraft was designed for export, the Russian Air Force in 2009 became the launch customer of the aircraft, with the production version called Su-35S.

What are the Differences Between Russian Sukhoi-35 and MiG-35 Fighter Jets?

( SOURCE-QUORA: by Danial Shazly, Aviation Writer, Management Consultant & Passion for LIFE)

Both warbirds are equally as good as one another when it comes to their multi-role missions. Both are as equally as agile. The differences are pointed towards the size of the jets. The Su-35 is far bigger, an advanced version of the legacy Flanker model. It is able to carry weapons on 12 hardpoints as compared to the MiG 8 hardpoints. The Su-35 has an additional 30% more range. In terms of weapons, it could carry much heavier and bigger weapons than the MiG such as the long-range anti-ship Brahmos missile as well as the much longer range AA-10 (R-27) Alamo missiles. These missiles come in various sizes which in most instances equates from medium to longer ranges. the MiG, on the other hand, could carry the smaller R-27 model.

The Su-35 is similar to the F-15 Eagle in USAF while the MiG-35 (Above) perform the same function as the F-16 Fighting Falcon

The MiG-35 is a vast improvement over the legacy MiG-29. It has addressed the weak points of the legacy Fulcrum

Both jets have a two-seat model in the form of MiG-35D and Su-35UB. Both are combat-capable fighters. The other difference is related to cost. The MiG-35 is much cheaper to buy and operate. A country with defense requirements that focus on affordability and multi-role missions would go for the MiG-35. It’s cheaper to operate than the Su-35 in terms of fuel cost, and maintenance on per man-hour cost. For example, the Royal Malaysian Air Force has indicated that the cost of operating the Su-30MKM over the MiG-29N is roughly about 40% different in cost.

The Su-35 is the most superior aircraft among the 2 warbirds in the Russian Air Force. It is also one of the most capable air superiority fighters in the world alongside the F-22 Raptor.

The MiG-35 Fulcrum-F is a suburb lightweight multirole fighter. It is able to perform as equally as that of the Su-35 but at a much lower cost and lesser range on internal fuel. However, it’s an ideal warbird for countries not needing the Su-35 capabilities.

In the author’s overall opinion, if a country has a desire for multiple fighters that requires a country to patrol its long borders, with less need for a flight refueling tanker, and able to carry a variety of air to air missiles as well being agile enough to compete and fight against some of the best jets on earth, the Sukhoi Su-35 gets the vote. This would be ideal in a case for countries like India with a large border against its nemesis, China and Pakistan or like Indonesia where it has over 18,000 islands from the stretches of Sumatra to Papua New Guinea, it needs a jet that can patrol at long distances.

The MiG-35, on the other hand, is also a superior machine in terms of cost. It is ideal for any nation balancing their budget with affordability and lethality and appreciates the technology that has gone into a suburb machine that was once feared by the west in the 80s! The MIG-35 is a sound proposition for any nation that does not require the superior of the Su-35.