Egypt to buy Russian SU-35's

edpop · by **edpop** » 20 Mar 2019, 22:20

According to reports, Egypt signed a $2 billion contract to buy more than 20 SU-35 multirole fighters from Russia. The delivery of the aircraft, including their weapon systems, will begin as early as 2020-2021. The deal is yet to be confirmed by official sources. The SU-35 is a single-seat, twin-engine, supermaneuverable aircraft. With 12 to 14 weapon hardpoints, the SU-35 is able to use K-77M radar-guided missiles that reportedly have a range of almost 200km. The jet is also armed with a 30mm cannon with 150 rounds for strafing or dogfighting. The SU-35 can reportedly carry up to 8,000kg of air-to-ground munitions. It is Russia’s most advanced operational fighter. Its first foreign customer was China, which ordered 24 aircraft in November 2015. Indonesia also signed a contract for the SU-35 worth $1.1 billion with deliveries possibly beginning at the end of the year. Egypt has one of the biggest Armed Forces in the Middle East. Between 1982 and 2013, the Egyptian Air Force received 240 Lockheed Martin F-16s from the US. Egypt ordered and received in FY 2015-2017, 24 Dassault Rafale fighters from France, followed by the MiG-29Ms, which are currently being delivered.

hythelday · by **hythelday** » 21 Mar 2019, 00:24

Deleted, because I misread Su-35 for MiG-35.

madrat · by **madrat** » 21 Mar 2019, 02:47

China almost has as many Su-35S as Russia, so not sure what you are smoking.

SpudmanWP · by **SpudmanWP** » 21 Mar 2019, 04:02

Did they order them with the requisite 6 spare engines?

hythelday · by **hythelday** » 21 Mar 2019, 11:08

madrat wrote:China almost has as many Su-35S as Russia, so not sure what you are smoking.

Whoops, major brain fart on my part. For some reason i read that OP was wfiting about Fulcrums, not Flankers.

madrat · by **madrat** » 21 Mar 2019, 12:53

No worries.

mixelflick · by **mixelflick** » 21 Mar 2019, 14:12

Holy logistical nightmare, now they're buying SU-35's? I think they're shooting for the Quatari model of fighter acquisition: We'll take one of everything! LOL

EGYPT

F-16's
Rafale's
Mig-29's
SU-35's

QUATAR

F-15QA's
F-16's
Typhoon
Rafale
Mirage 2000

Would be an interesting matchup if these two went head to head! The latest F-15 vs the latest Flanker, F-16 vs. F-16, Rafale vs Rafale, Typhoon vs SU-35's, F-15's, F-16's etc.. I think Quatar's inventory is superior tech wise, but I'm guessing Egypt has a big edge in pilot training?

When you throw Israeli F-35's, tricked out F-15's and 16's into this mix, the middle east is fast becoming the densest playground of technologically advanced fighters in the world.

One thing's for sure: Would not want to be turning wrenches on either side!

basher54321 · by **basher54321** » 21 Mar 2019, 19:08

Not aware Qatar ever operated F-16s.

mixelflick · by **mixelflick** » 22 Mar 2019, 13:14

basher54321 wrote:Not aware Qatar ever operated F-16s.

Yep, my bad. Was thinking of Bahrain...