MiG-35

The Mikoyan MiG-35 is a Russian multirole fighter developed by Mikoyan, a division of the United Aircraft Corporation. Developed from the MiG-29M/M2 and MiG-29K/KUB, it is an upgraded variant of the MiG-29KR. Demonstrators first flew in autumn 2009. Mikoyan presented the MiG-35 at the 2017 Moscow air show. Two pre-production aircraft were completed in 2016, and factory trials ended in December 2017. State joint trials began in May 2018. Russia ordered six MiG-35s in August 2018, and the first two serial production aircraft entered service with the Russian Aerospace Forces on June 17, 2019.

Design

The aircraft shares airframe commonality with the MiG-29K/KUB but uses a braking parachute instead of an arrestor hook. It has a fly-by-wire flight control system and an open avionics architecture using the MIL-STD-1553 bus. Propulsion is provided by two Klimov RD-33MK afterburning turbofans, each generating 9,000 kgf of thrust with afterburner, featuring smokeless combustion and reduced infrared signatures. Serial units use a mechanically scanned Zhuk-M radar, though AESA options have been tested. Sensors include the OLS-35 optical locator system, containing the OLS-UEM electro-optical targeting station and the OLS-K podded targeting system mounted under the starboard engine nacelle.

Armament

Armament consists of one 30 mm GSh-30-1 autocannon with 100 rounds. The aircraft has nine hardpoints with a maximum payload capacity of 6,500 kg. Air-to-air missiles include the R-73 and R-77. Air-to-surface weapons include S-8, S-13, S-24, and S-25 rockets, alongside Kh-25MAE, Kh-29L/TE, Kh-38ME, and Kh-38 Grom-E1 missiles, with planned integration of the Kh-36 Grom-1 cruise missile. It carries Kh-31PD anti-radiation missiles, Kh-31AD anti-ship missiles, and guided bombs including the KAB-500KR, KAB-500L, and KAB-500S-E.

Operational History

First operational use occurred in May 2025, when the Russian Ministry of Defence confirmed deploying the MiG-35 to defend Moscow from drone strikes. Mikoyan developed the aircraft primarily for export, but secured no foreign buyers. Egypt purchased the MiG-29M/M2 instead of the MiG-35 in 2015. India eliminated the aircraft from its MMRCA competition in 2011 due to radar and engine thrust deficiencies. Proposals to Argentina, Bangladesh, and Malaysia also failed to secure contracts.

Variants

• MiG-35 (Product 9.61): Single-seat export variant, converted from the MiG-29K or MiG-29M for Indian demonstrations.
• MiG-35D (Product 9.67): Two-seat export variant, converted from the MiG-29K or MiG-29M for Indian demonstrations.
• MiG-35S (Product 9.41SR): Single-seat serial production variant featuring an extra fuel tank in place of the rear cockpit seat.
• MiG-35UB (Product 9.47SR): Two-seat serial production variant.