Putin’s Powerful Display: 4 Su-35s in UAE Visit
Russian President Vladimir Putin dispatched a display of strength during his recent trip to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). His plane was flanked by four Su-35 fighter jets, each loaded with missiles. Video footage released by the Russian Ministry of Defense shows the warplanes taking off to accompany the president’s plane, a model Il-96, throughout its journey to Abu Dhabi.
The statement from the Ministry highlighted the air support provided by the Su-35S warplanes, which were equipped with various classes of aviation weapons. Despite difficult weather conditions with heavy rain and strong winds, the first-class pilots successfully fulfilled their mission.
The Su-35 Multi-Purpose Fighter Aircraft, developed by the Russian Federation-based Sukhoi company, was introduced in July 1998. This technologically advanced aircraft, often referred to as the “Flanker-E” by NATO and “Super Flanker” by Western countries, has earned its place as one of the most advanced warplanes in the Russian Federation Air Force.
Constructed from carbon-fibre, aluminum, and titanium alloys, the Su-35 earned the nickname “4++ or 4.5 generation”. Equipped with directed thrust nozzle technology, this aircraft is capable of performing remarkable maneuvers and surpassing the speed of sound without using afterburner.
Fitted with a 14,500kgf twin turbofan engine, this one-man crew aircraft boasts a maximum takeoff weight of 34,500 kilograms, a weapon capacity of 8,000 kilograms, a service altitude of 18 kilometers, and a flight range of 1,580 kilometers. With the ability to reach a maximum speed of 2.25 Mach and execute maneuvers up to 9G, the Su-35 can stay in the air for up to 10 hours with refueling.
For Air-Air missions, the Su-35 is armed with various air-to-air missiles, while also equipped for Air-Ground missions with a range of missiles, general-purpose bombs, unguided rockets, and a 30mm gun system. Additionally, the aircraft is outfitted with modern radar, an electro-optical imaging system, and a helmet-mounted targeting system for guided ammunition.
The information has been sourced from SavunmaSanayiST.com and AA.
