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| Facts about the Russian MiG-35 Fulcrum-F fighter that failed to shine |
International Military - The Russian-made MiG-35 Fulcrum-F fighter is designed for air superiority, six prototypes and eight aircraft have been produced to date. Russia doesn't seem interested in developing the MiG-35 Fulcrum-F any further, even though experts consider it the most advanced fighter.
Quoted from Bulgarian Military, Monday (5/9/2022), the MiG-35 Fulcrum-F is not an ordinary fighter aircraft, even Russia is reportedly buying about 40 units. The MiG-35 was a success when it was introduced in 2005. In 2016, the fighter flew for the first time, and unlike other Russian aircraft, tests and evaluations went smoothly without incident.
All this leads to the logical conclusion that Russia will order it in bulk. Furthermore, foreign partners will buy it. But Russia missed the opportunity to demonstrate the prowess of the MiG-35 which is super maneuverable, super dangerous and super light.
However, Russia seems to be abandoning the MiG-35 in favor of producing the Su-57 and Su-75, so it is not at all clear where this production will go. In fact, Egypt was once interested in this fighter, but then bought the MiG-29M.
Then there was India which also showed the same interest, but the purchase failed. The presence of other fighters, such as the F-16, F/A-18, Eurofighter Typhoon, and JAS 39 Gripen, is seen as contributing to the lack of interest in the MiG-35.
Interesting MiG-35 Facts
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| The Russian Mikoyan MiG-35 or MiG-35 Fulcrum-F Fighter |
The MiG-35 fighter can track up to 30 targets and strike six targets simultaneously. The MiG-35 has been described by US media 19fortyfive.com as an aircraft with "brain power".
This is to illustrate the MiG-35 fighter aircraft can be easily integrated to operate independently with other air platforms and fighters of the Russian Air Force. Something new can be achieved in the current fifth generation fighter (MiG-35 is generation 4++).
The MiG-35 fighter jet uses an active electronically scanned array [AESA] radar. This gives him a very strong advantage in fire control and target destruction. Moreover, the MiG-35 can reach a top speed of Mach 2.25. The aircraft can fly at altitudes of up to 65,000 feet and the fuselage is designed to withstand 9G within positive limits and 3G m within negative limits. The MiG-35 is powered by two Klimov RD-33MK turbofan engines with afterburners.
If deployed, the MiG-35 is expected to be a great success in the war against Ukraine. This fighter is very suitable for direct targeting against tanks, ships and heavy artillery. This fighter jet is armed with a combination of guided and unguided bombs, air-to-air, air-to-ground missiles, and a very lethal 30mm cannon.
Even the MiG-35 has an integrated electronic warfare pod, making it perfect for striking enemy air defense systems. For maneuverability, Western experts gave it an "A" rating because the fighter is highly maneuverable. The aircraft performs missions at supercritical angles of attack without issue at sustained and available g-load levels and high tilt angles. However, the lack of interest from other countries in the MiG-35 seems to be the reason Russia did not go ahead with this fighter project.