MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Russian Aerospace Forces may be able to receive deliveries of MiG-35 jets ahead of schedule in a bid for the manufacturer to keep up the rhythm and save money, the president of the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) told Vedomosti newspaper.

According to Slyusar, the UAC is planning to deliver six MiG-35 fighters to the Russian Defense Ministry at the first stage. The first delivery will take place this year.

The Russian Defense Ministry said last year that it expected to start purchasing MiG-35 multirole jets in 2018. In May, Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation has begun flight tests of the next-generation MiG-35 jet.

The MiG-35 is a multipurpose generation 4++ fighter and an advanced derivative of the original MiG-29 fighter, featuring improved combat capability and flight performance characteristics. It is capable of speeds up to 2,700 kilometers per hour (1,700 miles per hour) and has a combat radius of 1,000 kilometers.

Release Sputnik

Photo UAC