Free Republic
Browse · Search
Bloggers & Personal
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Russia’s ‘New’ MiG-35 Is a Flying ‘Paper Tiger’
National Security Journal ^ | 8/26/2025 | Brent M. Eastwood

Posted on 08/26/2025 10:30:37 AM PDT by whyilovetexas111

Russia’s MiG-35, comically dubbed a fourth-generation “+++” fighter, is an overrated “paper tiger” that has been a non-factor in the Ukraine war. With only a handful of aircraft in service, the program is a failure, plagued by significant drawbacks. It lacks its intended advanced AESA radar, its missiles are outmatched, its engines are aging, and its electronic warfare suite is subpar. Instead of a revolutionary dogfighter, the MiG-35 is a symbol of the Russian aviation industry’s inability to deliver on its ambitious promises, making it another costly and ineffective platform.

(Excerpt) Read more at nationalsecurityjournal.org ...


TOPICS: Government; History; Military/Veterans; Politics
KEYWORDS: blogpimp; keywordfag; mig35; nato; russia; ukraine; whyiloveblogpimps111

Click here: to donate by Credit Card

Or here: to donate by PayPal

Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794

Thank you very much and God bless you.

This could have been Russia's F-15EX Eagle II. Not going to happen.
1 posted on 08/26/2025 10:30:37 AM PDT by whyilovetexas111
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: whyilovetexas111

The Russians seem to be only good at one thing, and that’s rockets. They love them some rockets.


2 posted on 08/26/2025 10:40:45 AM PDT by BenLurkin (The above is not a statement of fact. It is opinion or satire. Or both.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: All

The writer has no aeronautics in his resume.

The RD33MKB variant of engine is not ancient and does not require 10 nm chips. Indeed nearly no weapons anywhere require 10 nm chips.

India has licensed production of this engine and has built over 100.

The engine has a service life of 4000 hours, contrasted with P&W’s F135 life of 2100 hrs. F135 thrust 43,000 fpounds with AB. RD33MKB much less at 20,000 fpounds, but of course, there are two engines in the airplane.

No confidence in the writer.


3 posted on 08/26/2025 10:46:14 AM PDT by Owen
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: whyilovetexas111

Say what you want, the Russians make damn good looking aircraft.


4 posted on 08/26/2025 10:57:23 AM PDT by ImJustAnotherOkie
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ImJustAnotherOkie
"Say what you want, the Russians make damn good looking aircraft."


5 posted on 08/26/2025 10:59:27 AM PDT by TexasGator (The 150 hp Florida Gnat)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: whyilovetexas111
Russia’s MiG-35, comically dubbed a fourth-generation “+++” fighter, is an overrated “paper tiger” that has been a non-factor in the Ukraine war

Just like the Russian T-14 Armata fourth-generation main battle tank.

Russia's new high-tech battle tank has ground to a halt during a rehearsal for 9 May Victory parade in Moscow, prompting speculation of a breakdown. 7 May 2015

One of T-14 Armata tanks suddenly stopped on Red Square, and the driver raised a red flag - apparently to signal that he had problems.

A tow vehicle was brought in, but the tank later managed to drive on.


6 posted on 08/26/2025 11:02:58 AM PDT by tlozo (“We get a lot of bullshit thrown at us by Putin, if you want to know the truth,” Trump)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Owen
"The engine has a service life of 4000 hours, contrasted with P&W’s F135 life of 2100 8000 hrs."
7 posted on 08/26/2025 11:17:29 AM PDT by TexasGator (The 150 hp Florida Gnat)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: BenLurkin

And nukes. Without nukes, Russia is a 3rd world country at best.


8 posted on 08/26/2025 11:17:34 AM PDT by Midwesterner53
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Midwesterner53

That’s just nonsense:

3 million available troops
Almost 6000 MBTs
5000 aircraft (2nd only to USA)
419 vessel fleet (12 nuclear powered subs)


9 posted on 08/26/2025 11:29:36 AM PDT by Phoenix8
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: tlozo

Why does it have the US ARMY Insignia on it ?


10 posted on 08/26/2025 11:37:55 AM PDT by UCANSEE2
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: TexasGator

I think the 8000 hours number was initial total airframe life. Engine reports were at 2100 hours. Improvement pursued because that put P&W in a vulnerable position for replacement with GE for later years of the airframe, which was hoped to exceed 20,000.

As for the Russian / Indian engine, probably no one has any idea and the quoted number was from extrapolated predecessor.

I recall an argument in a meeting about the source code for the P&W controllers, which they wanted excluded from any service life calculation because updates were somewhat frequent.


11 posted on 08/26/2025 11:42:19 AM PDT by Owen
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: UCANSEE2

In Imperial Russia it was the ribbon of the Order of St.George. In USSR during WW2 just the ribbon was used as a symbol by guards units. After 1943 it was also used on a bunch of medals. In 2000's when propaganda started pushing old glory days instead of rising quality of life and fighting corruption the ribbon was forced as a symbol of the victory (which was a bit weird, considering it was barely used during WW2) and later became the symbol of the "russian world".

12 posted on 08/26/2025 11:45:39 AM PDT by tlozo (“We get a lot of bullshit thrown at us by Putin, if you want to know the truth,” Trump)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: TexasGator

Say what you want, but king Zelensky really is a little pathetic midget compared to Putin. 😅😅😅


13 posted on 08/26/2025 11:51:05 AM PDT by ANKE69 (Ukraine is the world’s only nation to officially have a neo-Nazi formation in it's armed forces.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: tlozo

I always love how the Russians start WWII with 1941. I guess they don’t count their time as allies with the Nazis for some reason.


14 posted on 08/26/2025 12:02:15 PM PDT by Vermont Lt
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Vermont Lt

I always love how the Russians start WWII with 1941. I guess they don’t count their time as allies with the Nazis for some reason.


Funny that.


15 posted on 08/26/2025 12:02:44 PM PDT by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Bloggers & Personal
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson