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Summary and Key Points: Russia’s MiG-35 Fulcrum-F, initially touted as a fifth-generation fighter, has fallen short of expectations. Out of the planned thirty-seven units, only six were produced.

-First displayed in the 2022 China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, the MiG-35 has struggled to find export buyers, lagging behind competitors like China’s J-20 and America’s F-35.

-Although it features advanced radar and multiple hardpoints for diverse armaments, the MiG-35’s engine and stealth capabilities are inferior to the F-35’s. Given Russia’s ongoing conflict in Ukraine and limited resources, further production of the MiG-35 seems unlikely.

MiG-35: Why Russia’s Fulcrum-F Falls Short

Although the Kremlin may tout its Fulcrum-F fighter jet as a “fifth-generation” platform, this aircraft has certainly not lived up to the hype.

In fact, out of the original thirty-seven units Moscow planned to produce, only six ever came to fruition. The Russian Air Force first employed its MiG-35 jet in the 2022 China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, where it was displayed alongside the country’s Su-35, Su-57, and Su-34 platforms.

While the Kremlin was hoping to convince potential foreign clients that the Fulcrum-F is on par with China’s Chengdu J-20 and America’s F-35 Lightning II fighters, the platform has yet to actually be exported.

The MiG-35’s origin story

Russia first unveiled a prototype for its MiG-29 jet back in 2007 at the Aero India air show, hoping to sell the new jet to New Delhi. However, issues with the platform’s radar and engines eventually pushed it out of the competition as better contenders like the Eurofighter Typhoon, Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet, Saab JAS 39, and Dassault Rafale were available. The manufacturer Mikoyan continued to produce an export variant of the fighter at the Sokol aviation plant in Russia, which was showcased years later in 2019.

Perhaps the Fulcrum-F’s most significant trait is that it became the first Russian airframe to be equipped with active electronically scanned array radar upon introduction. The Zhuk-MA radar is reportedly capable of offering a larger air target detection radius according to Air Force Technology: “Like radar, OLS allows the MiG-35 to detect targets and aim weapon systems. But, unlike radar, OLS has no emissions, meaning it cannot be detected. OLS works like a human eye by getting the picture and later analyzing it. NII PP, the federal space agency science and research institute’s engineers have chosen more short-wave bands for the matrix, which has increased sensitivity of the complex several times and has increased detection range.” The incorporation of this upgraded Radar differentiates the MiG-35 from the MiG-29.

The MiG-35 vs F-35

The MiG-35 was built to carry a wide range of armaments. With its nine hardpoints, the jet can lug a combination of Kh-31P anti-radar missiles, Kh-31A anti-ship missiles, KAB-500Kr TV guided bombs, and the Kh-29TE missiles. Considering these capabilities, the Fulcrum-F could be an effective tool in air superiority missions when properly outfitted. Comparably, the F-35 Lightning II is fitted with half this missile payload.

However, the American fifth-generation platform employs a much more powerful engine than the MiG-35: the Pratt & Whitney F135. The MiG-25’s FADEC RD-33MK engines may be more advanced than the previous Kimov RD-33 turbofan engine, but it remains second-tier when compared to its American counterpart. Additionally, the Lightning II benefits from a decisive advantage in terms of its stealth capabilities.

Since only six MiG-35s are in circulation today, it is difficult to gauge the potential use of this platform by the Russian Air Force down the line. The ongoing Ukraine invasion continues to use up Moscow’s resources and funds so the country is unlikely to produce additional Fulcrum-Fs in the near future.

About the Author: Maya Carlin 

Maya Carlin, National Security Writer with The National Interest, is an analyst with the Center for Security Policy and a former Anna Sobol Levy Fellow at IDC Herzliya in Israel. She has by-lines in many publications, including The National Interest, Jerusalem Post, and Times of Israel. You can follow her on Twitter: @MayaCarlin.

All images are from Shutterstock and Creative Commons. 

Источник: nationalinterest.org