(ET) Sukhoi Su-35 Flanker-M: The horn of Africa's new Lion

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Su-35

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Aircraft info:

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The Su-35 is a 4++ generation multi role fighter made by the Sukhoi bureau and is currently the most advanced flanker variant from Russia right now. Featuring the most advanced electronic suite with one of the most powerful PESA radars, advanced warning systems against aerial threats, ability to use the most modern Russian weaponry available and powerful engines featuring TVC control. With the fighter being designed to engage aerial, ground and sea targets during anytime of the day in any weather using its weapons and onboard equipment. Currently Ethiopia has recently received their two unit delivered in what is reported to be an order of 12 total Su-35s.

Aircraft history:

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The limited known history of the Su-35 for Ethiopia can be first traced back to October 2nd 2025 with media reports of leaked documents dating back to 2022 from hackers mentioning any traces of the Su-35 for Ethiopia, with an initial order from one of Rostecs subsidiaries receiving an order to manufacturer 6 control and display systems for the Su-35 destined for Ethiopia.

With the news on the Su-35 for Ethiopia going quiet after that with no official news until October 28th 2026 with the official unveiling of the first two Ethiopian Su-35 in Russia with it being presented to an Ethiopian delegation along side the prime minister of Ethiopia. At the official presentation the prime minister would reveal that the order included a total of 12 Su-35s while he did not specify how many was delivered today, atleast two airframes would be spotted bort 2551 and 2552. Along side the new Su-35 it would be announced that new S-400 air defense systems would also be delivered at some point but no date would be disclosed for this.

Prime minister Abiy Ahmed would also express his gratitude towards president Vladimir Putin for being able to facilitate the delivery a whole year ahead of the original schedule for delivery, Abiy Ahmed emphasized that receiving the new weapons marked an important step in strengthening the country’s defense capabilities and ensuring national security and further developing Ethiopian-Russian military and technical cooperation dating back to 2021.

With media reporting that these new Su-35s will join the existing fleet of flankers already in use by the Ethiopian air force.

Aircraft specifications:

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Dimensions and size:

  • Lenght: 21,9m
  • Wing span: 14,7m
  • Height: 5,9m

Weight:

  • Empty weight: 19000 kg
  • Standard take off weight: 25300 kg
  • Maximum take off weight: 34500 kg

Engine output and flight performance:

  • Top speed near ground: 1400 km/h
  • Top speed at altitude: 2390 km/h
  • Service ceilling: 18000m
  • Engines: Saturn AL-41F1S 2x
  • Full afterburner engine output: 14500 kgf 2x (Bench thrust)
  • Max dry thrust output: 8800 Kgf 2x (Bench thrust)

Onboard avioncs and other equipment:

  • Radar: N035E Irbis-E
  • IRST: OLS-35
  • RWR: L-150-35
  • ESM: L-150-35
  • ECM: L-265M10 Khibiny-M Active jammer pods
  • MAW: SOAR MAW
  • LWS: SOLO LWS
  • Countermeasures: 6x UV-50 Countermeasure dispensers (84x Large caliber countermeasures)
  • Helmet system: Sura-M HMS

Additional Info about onboard equipment:

N035E Irbis-E:

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OLS-35 IRST:
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SOLO LWS and SOAR MAW:
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SURA-M HMS:
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Armament:

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Main armament:

  • GSH-30-1
  • 12 total hardpoints

Additional equipment that can be mounted:

  • 2x L-265M10 Khibiny-M Active jammer pods

  • T220 Targeting pod

  • APK-9

Air to air missile:

IR homing:

  • 6x R-73E
  • 6x RVV-MD
  • 4x R-27T1
  • 4x R-27ET1

Active radar homing

  • 12x RVV-SD
  • 12x RVV-AE
  • 6x RVV-BD

Semi active radar homing

  • 8x R-27R1
  • 8x R-27ER1

Passive radar homing:

  • 4x R-27P1
  • 4x R-27EP1

Air to ground missile:

  • 6x Kh-29TE/T/L
  • 6x Kh-38MLE/MTE/MKA/MAE
  • 2x Kh-59M

Anti ship missile:

  • 6x Kh-31A/AD
  • 5x Kh-59MK
  • 5x Kh-35E/UE

Anti radiation missile:

  • 6x Kh-31P/PD

Guided bombs:

  • 8x KAB-250 Series of bombs
  • 8x KAB-500 Series of bombs
  • 3x KAB-1500 Series of bombs

Unguided rockets:

  • 6x S-8KO rocket pods
  • 6x S-13OF Rocket pods
  • 6x S-250 rockets

Standard bombs:

  • FAB-100
  • FAB-250
  • FAB-500

General loadout chart: (Note, some weapons are missing due to age of brochure)
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Gallery:

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Sources:

Spoiler
4 Likes
2

Dad, I found our Indonesian Su-35s D:

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1 Like
3

zamn this was a quick suggestion

4

were they meant for Indonesia? (same situation as the Egyptian SU-35s?)

5

lets hope this is not the actual case and they just use a standard Knaapo paint scheme like Батончик mentioned

6

goodness me, they only got them today mate

1 Like
7

@Balta779517-live Is just that guy I gues.

1 Like
8

New Su-35 just dropped must make suggestion

1 Like
9

iirc first Indo ones were meant to be delivered pretty much between early Aug and late Oct, so this does has some sus appeal.

My Indo Su-35 suggestion is already prepared, just need pictures xP

1 Like
10

that is what i thought aswell when reading this, it seemed kinda sus but hoping my feeling is wrong

camping at the finish line lol

11

This as an independent, separate vehicle (perhaps as a future premium, similar to the Su-30MK2?), with the Su-25TK as a skin would be quite cool. +1 from me!