MiG-35 pre-production batch to start flight tests soon

The first pre-production batch of Mikoyan MiG-35 (Fulcrum-F) multipurpose fighter aircraft will start undergoing flight tests this year, Sergei Korotkov, the CEO of the MiG Aircraft-Manufacturing Corporation (RSK MiG), said on 17 March.
The RSK MiG CEO did not specify how many MiG-35 fighter jets the pre-production batch would comprise. According to Korotkov, this work is being funded under a research and development contract from Russia’s Ministry of Defence.
“We have fulfilled the first stage of this work today. The Russian Defence Ministry has examined and accepted the design. Thus, we are carrying out the work in accordance with the schedule specified by the contract,” Korotkov said in an official RSK MiG press release.
“The aircraft that is staying here is currently undergoing all the assembly stages. This year, it will be assembled and delivered to the customer for flight tests,” he added.
According to Korotkov, the MiG-35 will be able to use the whole range of air-launched weapons in service with Russia’s Armed Forces. The plane can lock on ten targets simultaneously and hit four-six most dangerous objectives, he said.
According to the CEO, the MiG-35 will have a speed of Mach 2.23, and will have an operational range 1.5 times longer than the MiG-29.