F-16 Fighting Falcon vs Su-35S
Fighters ยท ๐บ๐ธ United States vs ๐ท๐บ Russia
The world's most numerous fighter in service. A cheap, agile multirole workhorse flown by more than 25 air forces and continuously upgraded since the late 1970s.
A deeply modernized Flanker with thrust-vectoring engines and a powerful Irbis-E radar โ the peak of Russian 4th-generation fighter design.
Key differences
- Su-35S is faster: 2,400 vs 2,120 km/h (+13%).
- F-16 Fighting Falcon flies farther: 4,220 vs 3,600 km (+17%).
- Su-35S is cheaper: ~$43M vs ~$63M per unit.
- F-16 Fighting Falcon is far more numerous: 4,600+ built vs 150+.
- Su-35S is the newer design (entered service 2014 vs 1978).
Specifications side by side
| F-16 Fighting Falcon | Su-35S | |
|---|---|---|
| ๐บ๐ธ United States | Country of origin | ๐ท๐บ Russia |
| 1978 | In service since | 2014 |
| 2,120 km/h | Top speed | 2,400 km/h |
| 4,220 km | Range | 3,600 km |
| 8.6 t | Weight | 19 t |
| 1 | Crew | 1 |
| 20mm M61 Vulcan, 11 hardpoints: AIM-120, AIM-9, HARM, JDAM | Armament | 30mm GSh-30-1, 12 hardpoints: R-77, R-73, Kh-31, Kh-59 |
| ~$63M | Unit cost | ~$43M |
| 4,600+ | Units built | 150+ |
Tables compare stated specifications; real combat outcomes depend on crew training, situation, support and rules of engagement โ not stats alone.