Wraps come off new Russian fighters: Russia's so-called "intermediate-generation" fighters made their debut at MAKS 2007.

However, Irbis-E, like Bars, features passive electronic scanning. Such a choice was justified several years ago at the beginning of the Su-35 programme. Today, and especially in several years, when the Su-35 enters the market, this choice may limit its export potential because all its rivals will then offer aircraft equipped with AESA radars. One possibility is that Sukhoi will equip the Su-35 with an AESA radar in the next step of modernization. Tikhomirov NIIP radar design bureau is building such a radar for the fifth-generation Sukhoi T-50; a simplified version could be installed on the Su-35. Worth noting among the weapons offered on the Su-35 are two high-performance missiles not used by lightweight fighter aircraft: the K-100-1 air-to-air missile, with a range of 300-400km, and the Yakhont heavy antiship missile. In total, the Su-35 can carry eight tons of external weapons and stores.

Unlike the universal MiG-35 lightweight fighter (maximum weight 23.5 tons), the heavier Su-35 (up to 34.5 tons) is targeting a narrow customer base. It will attract interest mainly from states with a large surface area and with big money, or at least with big ambitions. China is certainly one such state, and the Su-35 has been included in talks over military cooperation. Another country to have expressed interest in the Su-35 is Venezuela, which after receiving 24 Su-30MK2V fighters in 2006-2007, intends to order a batch of Su-35s. The Su-35 will also be offered to Libya, Syria and Iran. In all these countries, pure Russian equipment of the aircraft is advantageous: the buyer avoids the threat of US or EU embargos.

For the next 10 years at least, the MiG-35 (MiG-29M/K), Su-35 and further modifications of the Su-30MKI will constitute the backbone of Russian export efforts. These aircraft are being targeted solely at foreign clients. Russia's current state programme for armaments acquisition for 2007-2015 (GPV-2015) provides only for modernisation of MiG-29 and Su-27 fighter aircraft; it does not include procurement of any new machines. However, the Russian Air Force has begun to call for the inclusion of MiG35s and Su-37s (the designation of the Su35 for Russia) within the GPV-2015 programme. The Russian Navy is also considering purchase of a batch of shipborne MiG-29K fighter aircraft for its "Admiral Kuznetsov" aircraft carrier. Future plans will depend on progress on the T-50 new-generation fighter. RUSSIA'S INTERMEDIATE-GENERATION FIGHTERS

MiG-35 Su-35 Engines RD-33MK 117S Maximum thrust 2 x 88.3kN 2 x 142.2kN Nominal take-off weight 17,500kg 25,300kg Maximum take-off weight 23,500kg 34,500kg Weapons/stores 6,500kg 8,000kg Maximum speed at sea level 1,400km/h 1,400km/h Maximum Mach number 2.0 2.25 Maximum range, internal fuel 2,000km 3,600km Ferry range 3,000km 4,500km