More than three years into the conflict, and with no end in sight in the short term, the Armed Forces of Ukraine and Russia continue to devise new methods and ways to employ some of their main combat systems. The latest development could feature the Su-35S, the main and most modern air superiority fighter currently used by the Russian Aerospace Forces, which is reportedly being deployed in a new role on the battlefield.
Specifically, according to unofficial sources with close ties to the Russian military, the Su-35S is reportedly being used as an early warning and reconnaissance platform, thanks to its powerful PESA-type radar from the Irbis family.
While the most modern fighter currently being introduced into the VKS is undoubtedly the Sukhoi Su-57 (NATO reporting name), reports indicate that this aircraft has not played an active role in the conflict, operating solely within Russian airspace. This has led the Su-35S, the latest variant of the Flanker family, to become the most advanced combat aircraft actively used in various roles.
Recently, various media outlets and Telegram channels that follow the current state of the Russian Armed Forces have circulated information — which should be taken with caution — claiming that Su-35S fighters are also being used as early warning and reconnaissance platforms, leveraging the capabilities of their Irbis PESA radar.
Operating in the X-band frequency, the Irbis is a multimode passive electronically scanned array (PESA) radar equipping the Su-35S. It can detect and track both aerial and ground targets at ranges of up to 400 kilometers, depending on target size. This is a significant capability, as it could allow the aircraft to perform electronic reconnaissance missions.
According to the Telegram channel FighterBomber — which has become a frequent source of news related to the Russian Armed Forces — it was recently stated: “The Su-35S has replaced the A-50 out of necessity, but with considerable confidence and effectiveness. The results are visible in the news.”
However, the claim that the Su-35S is being used as a forced substitute for some of the roles and functions of the A-50 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft (NATO code: “Mainstay”) raises questions about the operational availability of these platforms within the Aerospace Forces.
To date, the A-50 and its modernized version, the A-50U, remain the main AEW&C platforms used by the Russian Aerospace Forces. Though in service since the Soviet era, these aircraft still represent a key capability for early detection and airborne control, providing command and control centers with a comprehensive view of the battlefield.
This is due to their powerful radar dome — in the case of the modernized A-50U, developed through collaboration between Beriev and the Vega company — which has a detection range of nearly 600 kilometers, compared to approximately 350 kilometers for earlier versions. However, aside from this limited upgrade, these aircraft are aging models originally built decades ago, prompting the development of a next-generation platform, the A-100, which is still undergoing development and flight testing.
As a result, more than three years of attritional warfare, combined with reported losses from early 2024, have increased pressure on the A-50 fleet in service with the VKS, which before the war numbered around nine aircraft.
The use of Su-35S fighters in missions typically assigned to A-50s may therefore indicate the situation described above. While it is not the first time that combat aircraft equipped with powerful radars and electronic warfare systems are used for such purposes, it nonetheless reflects the reality of the conflict for both Russia and Ukraine — as both sides continue seeking new ways to employ their combat platforms to compensate for shortages or gaps in resources that cannot be easily replenished.
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No surprise, small aircraft have always been used for deep reconnaissance, NATO designed the f35 for that very role.
But s35 has l band radar which can see NATO stealth aircraft as indeed can the s400 systems.
S35 can also data link to ground systems increasing the tracking ranges.