Article Posted on : - Feb 14, 2014

Su-35 fighter. A Sukhoi photo

MOSCOW (BNS): The Russian Air Force has taken delivery of 12 advanced Sukhoi Su-35S fighters.

The aircraft will be operated by the 23rd Fighter Regiment at Dzemgi air base, in the Khabarovsk Territory.

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu speaking at the aircraft transfer ceremony said, the latest multi-purpose Su-35S fighter outperforms foreign aircraft in its class, and provides a platform for creating a perspective aviation complex of the 5th generation.

According to a RIA Novosti report, the Ministry of Defence has received 34 of the aircraft ordered in 2009. Aviation major Sukhoi has been contracted to supply a total of 48 Su-35S fighters by 2015.

The Su-35S Flanker-E is a heavily upgraded derivative of the Su-27 multirole fighter. It has been touted as "4++ generation using fifth-generation technology."

The aircraft, powered by two 117S turbofans with thrust-vectoring, features high maneuverability and the capability to engage several air targets simultaneously.