Total Beast: The Russian Sukhoi Su-35 "Flanker-E" is a formidable fourth-generation++ fighter jet designed for air superiority and multirole operations. Despite criticisms, it has proven its effectiveness in combat. Its strengths lie in advanced maneuverability through thrust-vectoring nozzles, a powerful N011 Bars radar system for superior situational awareness, and its ability to perform a range of missions from air-to-air dogfighting to ground strikes.

-Additionally, the Su-35 boasts an extensive armament suite and exceptional speed, making it a significant player in modern aerial combat. Its versatility and raw power underscore why it remains a serious threat in the skies.

Top 5 Reasons Why the Su-35 is a Beast

Newsflash to all the midwits in the West who keep joking about bad Russian technology and military capabilities: they’re overwhelming beating the NATO-backed Ukrainians and, with their recent successful strike of Dnipro with what may have been a new hypersonic weapon, Moscow has demonstrated that the dark days of post-Soviet Russia are over. 

Sure, the Russian way of war is nowhere near as stylish as the American way. But that doesn’t mean anything. Only results matter. 

One of the many systems that Russia has successfully deployed in war is the Su-35. Built by the legendary Sukhoi Design Bureau, the Su-35 is an upgraded version of the old Soviet era Su-27. Billed as a “fourth-generation ++” warplane, the Su-35 has taken a beating in the Western press. According to its detractors, it is “dropping like flies” in the unfriendly skies over the killing fields of Ukraine. 

But these critics are wrong. The Russian Su-35 is a powerful platform that has served the Russians all too well in their war against neighboring Ukraine. Below are the top five reasons for why the Russian Su-35 will succeed, despite what its detractors say.

5. Good Hustle 

All Su-35s come with an impressive thrust-vectoring nozzle capability that ensure these dynamic birds are highly maneuverable. Basically, the pilot can move the exhaust ports of the bird around while in flight. This, then, enables tight turns, allows for rapid ascent, and when flying at extremely low speeds, the thrust-vectoring nozzle allows for greater control. In essence, the Su-35 is a serious dogfighter.

The only problem facing the Su-35 is that there are few dogfights in the Ukraine War. It’s all about air-to-ground bombing missions and the Ukrainians have created an impressive anti-aircraft array that has downed many Su-35s. But, if there were dogfights in this war, the Su-35 would undoubtedly dominate them because of its agility.

4. These Planes Can See for Miles and Miles

The Su-35 comes with a powerful phase-arrayed radar with pulse-Doppler tracking, known as the N011 Bars. A Su-35 pilot in combat can detect and track multiple targets at once.

Because of this, the Su-35’s pilot is gifted with excellent situational awareness, allowing for effective engagement at longer ranges. 

This N011 Bars system truly increases the lethality and combat effectiveness of the Su-35.

3. A Jack-of-All-Trades

As a multi-role warplane, the Su-35 can conduct a variety of differing mission sets.

As mentioned above, these birds can dogfight as well as conduct ground attack operations. As a result, the Su-35 comes equipped with an impressive and versatile armaments package. 

Those weapons, by the way, when married to the N011 Bars system can pack an even greater punch than they already do.

2. Check Out That Armaments Package

The Su-35 can carry a massive amount of weaponry. These lethal, angry birds can blast targets with long-range air-to-air missiles. They can drop guided bombs over unsuspecting targets. 

Oh, and the Su-35 is very effective against warships when they launch anti-ship missiles. 

1. Speed Kills

Thanks to those engines mentioned earlier, the Su-35 can max out at around Mach 2.25. That means an Su-35 can rapidly come upon a target, attack, and then disengage from those combat operations. More than stealth, speed in modern aerial combat is key. And the Su-35 has it. 

This is one impressive plane and should never be underestimated.

About the Author

Brandon J. Weichert, a National Interest national security analyst, is a former Congressional staffer and geopolitical analyst who is a contributor at The Washington Times, the Asia Times, and The-Pipeline. He is the author of Winning Space: How America Remains a Superpower, Biohacked: China’s Race to Control Life, and The Shadow War: Iran’s Quest for Supremacy. His next book, A Disaster of Our Own Making: How the West Lost Ukraine, is available for purchase wherever books are sold. Weichert can be followed via Twitter @WeTheBrandon.

Image Credit: Creative Commons.