The United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), part of the Rostec State Corporation, has delivered a fresh batch of refurbished Su-35s multirole fighter jets to the Russian Ministry of Defence.
The handover marks the second such delivery in 2025, with the previous batch transferred in March.
UAC has sourced new components from Hindustan Aeronautics and the Chinese Shenyang Aircraft Corporation. For the first time, China delivered airframes to UAC since China started copying Russia’s Su-27 aircraft and localised J-11 variant fighter jets.
China is exporting military technology and dual-use goods to Russia, which are necessary for their weapons production, particularly after Western sanctions were implemented. These exports include items like machine tools, microelectronics, and semiconductors, which are used in weapons systems and other military applications. While China denies supplying weapons directly to Russia, they have been accused of doing so through covert channels, according to Politico.
These exports include items on the Common High-Priority List (CHPL), which is a list of items designated as high-priority by the US, EU, Japan, and the UK.
While China denies directly supplying Russia with weapons, according to BBC news, are accused of covertly providing components for drone production and cutting off drone supplies to Ukraine.
Specific examples include machine tools, which have seen a significant increase in exports from China to Russia, as well as semiconductors, telecommunications equipment, and radar parts for the S400 air defense system, according to DW News.
According to the manufacturer, the aircraft underwent a full cycle of factory testing, including flights across various operational modes, before being ferried to their designated airbases. The Su-35S fighters are considered among the most advanced aircraft in Russia’s arsenal, featuring 4++ generation capabilities and optimized for both air and ground strikes.
The Su-35S is engineered to engage aerial, ground, and maritime targets at extended ranges, day or night, and in challenging weather conditions. Equipped with advanced avionics, a phased-array radar, and thrust-vectoring engines, the aircraft represents a core component of Russia’s effort to modernize its tactical air fleet.
UAC CEO Vadim Badekha commented on the strategic importance of the delivery. “UAC is delivering combat aircraft on schedule under the current year’s state defense procurement program. Our factories are meeting the targets with confidence, understanding the critical nature of ensuring full and timely execution of defense orders,” he said.
Badekha added that efforts are underway to expand production capacity and bring new infrastructure online to support long-term defense requirements. Additional production batches of Su-35S, Su-57 and Su-34 fighters are currently underway.
The Su-35S, developed by Sukhoi and manufactured at the Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Plant, is positioned as a key asset in Russia’s push to maintain air superiority and operational reach.
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