On July 12, the authoritative military magazine Jane's Defense Weekly published an article on the state and prospects for the development of fighter aircraft of the world's leading aviation powers, including Russia.
Russia's once mighty military industry has been going through hard times over several years of cuts and a lack of a consistent industrial policy. Throughout the 1990s and the current decade, Russia continues to modernize aircraft created in the 1970s and 1980s. The T-50 (Advanced Frontline Aviation Complex - PAK FA) has become a fighter for Russia, which in relation to others looks like an aircraft of the 21st century. However, the required level of investment and mature technology required to complete the development of the PAK FA suggests that its future is unclear.
The Russian aircraft manufacturing corporation MiG, one of the most famous brands in the world aviation, is currently pinning all its hopes on the export of fighters to India. Although "rebuilt" MiG-29SMT aircraft have been delivered to Yemen in recent years, the refusal of the Algerian Air Force to accept fighters of this modification put the company in an awkward position. MiG has successfully developed a new version of the MiG-29K carrier-based combat aircraft and will supply about 30 aircraft of this type to the Indian Navy to equip the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya (the former Russian aircraft carrier Admiral of the Fleet Gorshkov).
It should be assumed that the positive experience of the MiG-29K program and the long-term history of the Indian Air Force's relations with the MiG corporation will increase the MiG-35's chances of winning the MMRCA tender.
The MiG-35 is equipped with RD-33K engines and radar with active phased array "Zhuk-AE" developed by the "Fazatron" corporation. The aircraft can be equipped with an intriguing set of Russian and Western onboard equipment, including an Elettronica ELT / 568 (V) 2 jamming station and an OLS-UEM optical location station with TV, IR and laser channels.
Sukhoi aircraft are mainly exported. The consistent modernization of the basic Su-27 Flanker led to the emergence of the super-heavy Su-30MK. This aircraft is being built in two different versions at the Irkut and KNAAPO factories. The two-seater multipurpose Su-30MK was sold in significant quantities to Algeria, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Venezuela and Vietnam. 309 fighters of various variations of the Su-30MK are in operation in 7 countries. Aircraft of the early Su-27SK / UBK models in the amount of 198 were delivered to the Air Forces of China, Indonesia and Vietnam.
Su-30MK production continues for the Algerian, Vietnamese and Indian Air Forces, which have ordered a total of 178 aircraft.
India acts as the main client of the Su-30MK and conducts licensed production of the Su-30MKI variant at the HAL corporation plant. In June, the Indian Cabinet of Ministers approved the further purchase of 42 Su-30MKI aircraft, bringing the total number of aircraft of this type in the Air Force to 272 in 2018. At one time, China was the main client of the Su-30, and although the PLA Air Force and Navy purchased 100 Su-30MKK and Su-30MK2 aircraft, now the country's interest has shifted to some other areas.
As a replacement for the Su-24 Fencer front-line bomber, the Su-34 strike aircraft was created. At present, this aircraft, on the development of which a lot of time was spent, is entering service with the Russian Air Force in very modest quantities.
Sukhoi developed the Su-35S (formerly Su-35BM) to bridge the gap between the decommissioning of the aging Su-27 air superiority fighter fleet and the introduction of the new generation T-50 aircraft into service. The Su-35S should not be confused with the Su-35, developed in the 90s, equipped with a forward horizontal tail (the Su-27M project). The Su-35 is equipped with a more powerful version of the AL-31F turbojet engine known as the 117S. The aircraft is equipped with a radar with passive HEADLIGHTS "Irbis-E" developed by NIIP them. Tikhomirov. The first prototype of the Su-35S took off in February 2008 and to date Sukhoi has built three prototypes, one of which was lost during high-speed ground taxiing.
In August 2009, the Russian Air Force announced that 48 Su-35 aircraft would be purchased to equip three air regiments. At the end of last year, production of the first serial Su-35S began. This aircraft will be an important step towards the transition to the T-50 / PAK FA. Many of the T-50 onboard systems were tested on the Su-35S, including the 117C engines, which were installed on the first flight prototype of the new generation fighter. Russia is also keen to export the Su-35S, and it is believed that there are several potential customers. Previously, this fighter was offered to China, but this country did not show interest in their purchase, since then attention has shifted to Venezuela.
The T-50 fighter was developed in deep secrecy and its first public appearance took place during its maiden flight in January 2010. As with any new fighter program, there is a huge gap between what a fighter should represent at the time of operational readiness compared to the prototype that is currently available. Experience also shows that the journey from the present to the future is unlikely to be smooth. The T-50 is a complex design with several interesting features, including the implementation of stealth technology and the achievement of low visibility. When on the T-50 will be installed a new radar with AFAR developed by NIIP them. Tikhomirov, a new electronic warfare system, new engines and weapons, this fighter will have the potential to become the dominant air combat system. The Russian aerospace industry must now prove that it can create and produce the entire technology package required for this fighter.
