Su-35 was originally a Russian tool that wanted to earn foreign exchange, but the international market did not buy the account. Indonesia in 2018 signed 11 contracts, worth $1.1 billion, and also wanted to pay off a portion of the money with coffee and palm oil, as a result of the United States offered CAATSA sanctions law, in 2021, Indonesia would crumble, turn the head to buy the French Armor and the United States F-15EX.
Egypt is similar. In 2018, it ordered 24 to 26 aircraft with a contract of US $3 billion. The first five aircraft were built in 2020. However, in early 2022, under pressure from the United States, it broke the contract and bought F-15s instead. After the inspection in Algeria, I felt that the radar was lagging behind, so I gave up directly and turned to the Su-57.
By June 2021, 17 unwanted Su-35s were piled in Russian factories, which were later reportedly sold to Iran. Iran bought 25 aircraft in June 2023, leaked documents in 2025 showed that the number was expanded to 48 aircraft, and the delivery plan was delayed until 2026-2028. Ethiopia confirmed an order for 16 aircraft in 2025 to replace the Lao Su-27.
Algeria in March 2025 quietly received the Su-35 shift from Egypt, at least five satellite confirmation. Indonesia reopened the Su-35 transaction in May 2025, while buying China J-10, diversifying. These returns and decommissioning, mainly due to geopolitics, US sanctions let buyers not dare to risk, plus the Su-35 electronic system does not keep up with the times, the price ratio is questioned. Russian economy is affected by Western sanctions, and urgently needs money, but weapons exports are becoming more and more difficult.
Let's look at the performance of exercises within China. When the Su-35 was introduced, the main force of China's Air Force was still the J-10A and J-11B, and there was a generation gap in the face of the US military's F-22. Negotiations began in 2013. Russia wanted at least 48 aircraft, and China cut it to 24 aircraft. The contract was signed in November 2015. The first batch of four aircraft arrived in Cangzhou, Hebei Province in December 2016, and all batches were delivered by the end of 2018 and stationed in the Zhanjiang Aviation Brigade.
At first, Su 35 brushed the sense of existence. In July 2019, China and Russia jointly cruised and appeared over the sea of Japan. But the golden helmet competition exposed the problem. For three consecutive years from 2019 to 2021, pilots flying Su-35 were killed by J-10C.
The J-10C with the source phase-controlled array radar and J-15 missile, in the supervisory distance to lock the SU-35 and the SU-35's Snow Leopard E non-source radar detection distance is short, resistance to interference is weak. modern air warfare has changed, it is no longer a near-range dog fight, the SU-35's super-motor advantages can not play out.
The aircraft and missile integration of the J-10C is better, Chinese pilots are more familiar with domestic aircraft, and tactical co-operation is better. As a result, the Su-35 has changed from the Champagne to the Champagne. In December 2021, the Chinese expert Fou Fou revealed that the J-10C has defeated the J-16 and Su-35 several times, taking the most gold helmets. The Su-35's 117S engine is a highlight, but overall lags behind the Chinese self-research system.
In terms of actual combat, the Russia-Ukraine conflict is the touchstone for the Su-35. The Russian Air Force has 118 Su-35s, with a total of about 167 produced. On April 3, 2022, the first aircraft was shot down in Kharkiv, and losses have continued since then. Ukraine said it shot down at least five, two in three days in February 2024, and one was killed by a surface-to-air missile in Kursk on June 7, 2025.
British intelligence updated in July 2025 that Russia's losses included Su-34 and Su-35, and the switchboard team was halved. Oryx confirmed at least 7 aircraft, Ukraine said more than 20. Coupled with the accident, Russia lost more than 25 aircraft. There are many reasons. When the Su-35 carried out a ground strike, the Russian army had to fly low due to the lack of precision weapons, which increased the risk of being shot down by air defense.
Without stealth, it is easy to be exposed in a dense radar network. Problems in the overall combat system amplify shortcomings. Russia produces an average of 12-14 aircraft per year. It will be delivered to its own air force in new batches on August 21, 2025, but the losses cannot be made up for. Compared with the US military's F-15 or F-16, it is difficult to survive alone in similar environments, but the performance of the Su-35 has damaged its reputation.
Now talk about the use of China Su-35. It is no longer the main force. With the J-20 entering service in 2017, the J-16 and J-10C have been included in large numbers, and the Su-35 has taken a back seat. The main task is to patrol the sea and cover the 6K. In 2022, the J-20 cruises the Sea of Japan to demonstrate deterrence. The Su-35 has a range of 4500 kilometers and carries 8 tons of bombs. It is suitable for long-term patrols in the South China Sea.
In 2025, he will still participate in confrontation training. As a high-low combination, J-20 stealth reconnaissance and Su-35 firepower strike. Technically, the 117S vector engine provides a reference for China's WS-15 Emei and promotes the progress of the aviation industry. From the introduction of the Su-27 in the 1990s, to the J-11B, to the J-16 and J-20, China has achieved a transition from imitation to transcendence.
At the 2019 Russian Air Show, China's J-20 made its debut, and Russia no longer sold fighter jets. In 2025, China's J-20 and J-35 will be superior to the Su-57, and the J-16 will be superior to the Su-30. Su-35 is a transitional product in China, helping to accumulate experience and avoid generation differences. In May 2018, one aircraft returned to Russia and was upgraded to be equipped with PL-15 missiles and a new helmet system to improve integration. As a research platform, its value exceeds the combat itself.
The story of the Su-35 is China's military-industrial shrinkage. 2010-2020 gold decade, from technology to follow and run, and even lead. Introducing the Su-35 has an era background, when the South China Sea was tense, the Y-20 first flew in 2011, forming a fighting force takes time. Decision making is pragmatic, although now looking at the price ratio is low, but filling the gap. Russia needs foreign exchange, China needs technology and military strength to complement each other.
The logistical burden of the Su-35 was large, 24 aircraft of different systems increased maintenance costs, but as a special presence, there is still a position. In the future, it is expected to retire in 2035, when the Chinese Air Force entered the age of six generations. The remaining service period, continued long-haul missions, flight performances. second-hand resale is difficult, Russian agreement is required, buyers are concerned about sanctions and spare parts. Iran expands purchases, but deliveries are slow. Russia itself fills Ukrainian vacancies with the Su-35, production pressure is great.
Generally speaking, the Su-35 is not a waste in China, but it is marginalized. Export returns reflect political factors, the defeat of the exercise shows the changes of information-based air combat, and the actual combat losses expose the weaknesses of the system. China uses it to transition and gain technological confidence. Now, China's aviation industry is full of confidence and no longer relies on imports. Su 35 witnessed the leap from buying to building. Although it has shortcomings, it has great historical significance.
Russian Su-35 production continues and will be delivered to the country in 2025. The international market depends on Iran and Ethiopia. But overall, the Su-35 era is declining, and China Air Force is ahead of schedule. Anyway, weapons are developing rapidly. Who knows what tomorrow will look like? But for China, the Su-35 account is not a loss.