The transfer departed from the factory airfield in Komsomolsk-on-Amur and marks the official start of public Su-35S deliveries in 2026, despite a delay compared to last year’s schedule.
United Aircraft Corporation, better known as UAC, has delivered the first public batch of Su-35S fighters of 2026 to the Russian Aerospace Forces. The announcement was made through the company’s official Telegram page and marks the beginning of this year’s transfers of the aircraft.
The delivery was carried out from the factory airfield in Komsomolsk-on-Amur, the city where the Su-35S is produced. From there, the aircraft were flown to Russian Aerospace Forces airbases, reinforcing the fleet of one of the country’s main combat fighters.
The exact number of aircraft was not officially disclosed, but photos and videos published by UAC appear to show the transfer of at least two fighters. That figure matches the pattern seen in previous deliveries, in which the manufacturer has often handed over aircraft in small batches.
The new transfer also stands out because of the longer gap compared with last year. In 2025, the first public delivery was recorded on March 29, while the second took place on May 12. In 2026, however, the opening batch of public Su-35S deliveries appeared later, suggesting a slower start to the annual delivery cycle.
Even so, UAC continues to state that it is working to increase production of the aircraft. That message indicates the Su-35S still holds a central role in Russia’s industrial and operational planning for military aviation.
Regarded as a highly maneuverable multirole fighter, the Su-35S is used in air superiority, escort and strike missions, and remains one of the most important platforms in Moscow’s air combat inventory. Even with modest numbers, the new delivery shows that the production line remains active in 2026.
Source and images: Telegram @uac_ru
