The Su-57 and Su-35 are both Sukhoi products and both flown by Russia's VKS, but they represent different generations of Russian air power philosophy. Understanding the gap between them clarifies what Russia is actually buying when it invests in fifth-generation development — and what it still relies on in the meantime.
Full guides: Su-57 · Sukhoi Su-35
| Su-57 | Sukhoi Su-35 | |
|---|---|---|
| First flight | 2010 | 2008 |
| Origin | Russia | Russia |
| Length | 20.1 m | 21.9 m |
| Wingspan | 14.1 m | 15.3 m |
| Max speed | 2450 km/h | 2390 km/h |
The Su-35 (NATO: Flanker-E) is a fourth-generation-plus air-superiority fighter that evolved from the original Su-27 Flanker family. It uses twin AL-41F1S engines (a variant of the AL-31F with improved thrust), has a thrust-vectoring nozzle system, and carries the Irbis-E passive electronically scanned array radar. It has no stealth shaping and carries all weapons externally. The Su-57 Felon is Russia's fifth-generation fighter with an active phased array radar, reduced radar cross-section shaping, internal weapon bays, and an advanced EW suite. The Su-57 adds L-band radar arrays in the wing leading edges for detecting low-observable targets, and its two main bays can carry the new R-37M very-long-range AAM or the Kh-59MK2 cruise missile. In raw kinematic terms the Su-35 is competitive: its thrust-to-weight ratio is approximately 1.13:1, top speed is Mach 2.25, and it is considered one of the most agile conventional fighters flying. The Su-57's advantage lies in its sensor suite, stealth, and internal weapon carriage — not in outright kinematic performance, which is broadly comparable. The Su-35 is proven in combat (Syria, Ukraine); the Su-57 has conducted limited combat sorties in a standoff role.
In a within-visual-range fight between these two Sukhoi types: the Su-35's thrust vectoring has been demonstrated to outstanding effect in airshow manoeuvres (Pugachev's Cobra, Herbst manoeuvre) and the Su-57 also has thrust vectoring. Both are highly agile. The Su-57's advantage would emerge earlier in the engagement: better radar (AFAR vs PESA), internal weapon carriage reducing drag and radar cross-section on approach, and a lower thermal signature. If the Su-35 is carrying R-77-1 missiles externally and the Su-57 is carrying R-77-1 or K-77M internally, the Su-57 is harder to detect and may achieve first shot. That said, in any within-visual-range scenario where both pilots can see each other, the kinematic difference is small and the fight goes to pilot skill and situational awareness. Russia fields both in VKS service specifically because the Su-35 provides cost-effective mass and the Su-57 provides qualitative edge for the highest-threat scenarios.
They are closely matched in size. Su-35 length: 21.9 m; Su-57 length: 20.1 m — the Su-35 is slightly longer. Wingspan: Su-35 15.3 m vs Su-57 14.1 m — the Su-35 is wider. Max takeoff weight: Su-35 approximately 34,500 kg vs Su-57 approximately 35,000 kg. Top speed: Su-35 Mach 2.25 vs Su-57 reportedly Mach 2.0 — the Su-35 is faster at maximum speed. Supercruise: the Su-57 can sustain approximately Mach 1.6 without afterburner; the Su-35 cannot supercruise meaningfully.
The Su-35 has been exported: Russia operates it, and China received 24 Su-35SKs delivered 2016–2018 — the only export customer. Egypt reportedly contracted for Su-35s but delivery was blocked under US CAATSA sanctions pressure. Indonesia, Algeria, and others have discussed it. The Su-57 is flown only by Russia; approximately 20 have been delivered as of 2025. The Su-57 has not been exported, though Algeria and India (previously, before withdrawal) have been cited as potential customers.
The Su-35 prototype (then called Su-27M or Su-35S in modern form) began development in the 1980s; the modern Su-35S flew in 2008 and entered VKS service in 2014. The Su-57 prototype (T-50) flew in 2010, with series deliveries beginning 2020. The Su-35 being in large-scale service ahead of the Su-57 matters greatly for the VKS: it provides the bulk of Russia's advanced air combat capability while Su-57 production ramps slowly. The war in Ukraine has highlighted the VKS's reluctance to risk Su-57s in contested airspace — they fly standoff missions while Su-35s are used in more forward roles. This reveals a force structure dependency: the Su-35 is the operational backbone; the Su-57 is the hedge against high-end peer threats.
Both types are based at Russian military facilities not normally accessible for civilian spotting. However: the Su-35 has appeared at MAKS airshow at Zhukovsky near Moscow (accessible during show days) and has been photographed in combat sorties over Syria and Ukraine from open-source imagery. China operates Su-35SKs at bases that are similarly inaccessible to Western spotters. The Su-57 has appeared at MAKS and Dubai Airshow 2021. For dedicated spotters, MAKS (held every two years when geopolitics permit) was the primary opportunity; under current Russia-West relations that avenue is closed. Open-source airspace tracking and combat imagery are the realistic alternatives for following these types today.