Russian air force to get over 100 new warplanes

 The Russian Air Force is all set to receive over 100 new warplanes and helicopters this year.

"Purchasing of over 100 planes and helicopters is envisaged by state defence order for this year," reported Xinhua citing deputy defence minister Yuri Borisov.

Borisov noted that the warplane designers sometimes do not take into account the opinion of the pilots about the aircraft's technical characteristics.

"The industry must know how (the pilots) perceive that production. The designers must take into account the pilots' proposals."

The officer said the newest four-double-plus-generation MIG-35 fighters and newly-revamped SU-35 multipurpose fighters would be delivered in three years after tests are completed.

MiG Corporation first officially presented the MiG-35 internationally during the Aero India 2007 air show.The MiG-35 was officially unveiled when the Russian Minister of Defence, Sergey Ivanov, visited Lukhovitsky Machine Building Plant "MAPO-MIG"
.
The single seat version is designated MiG-35 and the two-seat version is MiG-35D. The fighter has vastly improved avionics and weapon systems, notably the new AESA radar and the uniquely designed Optical Locator System (OLS), relieves the aircraft from relying on Ground Controlled Interceptions (GCI) systems and enables it to conduct independent multi-role missions.

In 2003, Sukhoi embarked on a second modernization of the Su-27 to produce what the company calls a 4++ generation fighter that would serve as an interim fighter prior to the arrival of the Sukhoi PAK FA. This derivative incorporates a reinforced airframe, improved avionics and radar, thrust-vectoring engines, and a reduced radar signature from the front, while omitting the canards and air brake.

In 2008 the revamped variant, erroneously dubbed the Su-35BM by the media, started its flight test programme that involved four prototypes, one of which was lost in 2009.

The Russian Air Force has ordered 48 production units, designated Su-35S, of the newly-revamped Su-35. Both Su-35 models have been offered to many countries, including Brazil, China, India and South Korea, but so far have not attracted any export orders. Sukhoi originally projected that it would export more than 160 units of the second modernized Su-35 worldwide.