The first three Su-35 fighter jets that Russia is producing for Egypt’s air force have been seen flying in Russia. The production had started at the Gagarin Aircraft Plant in Komsomolsk-on-Amur.

Five aircraft were spotted in flight at Novosibirsk Tolmachevo Airport in central Russia with serials 9210, 9212 and 9214 visible. They were en route from the factory 3 600 km away. In early May, satellite imagery appeared to show four of the aircraft on the ground at the Komsomolsk-on-Amur factory in eastern Russia. Their colour scheme matches that of Egyptian MiG-29Ms in service.

Aircraft is expected the aircraft will be delivered this year.

According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, Egypt ordered 24 Su-35 aircraft for $2 billion in 2018.

In March 2019 Russian newspaper Kommersant said the contract involves several dozen of the fighters, which will supplement the MiG-29M/M2 fighters Egypt is receiving and help replace obsolete MiG-21s and J-7s.

Kommersant said deliveries are due to take place from 2020/2021. Egypt’s order was spurred on by the performance of the aircraft over Syria, where it was deployed by the Russian Air Force.

Both China and Indonesia have ordered Su-35s, with China receiving its last batch in late 2018. Indonesia has ordered 11 of the type and China 24.