Dassault Rafale vs Su-35S
Fighters ยท ๐ซ๐ท France vs ๐ท๐บ Russia
France's omnirole fighter flies from land bases and the carrier Charles de Gaulle, carries the Meteor long-range missile and even a nuclear cruise missile. Export sales boomed in the 2020s.
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 1,912 km/h (+26%).
- Su-35S is cheaper: ~$43M vs ~$85M per unit.
- Dassault Rafale is far more numerous: 270+ built vs 150+.
- Su-35S is the newer design (entered service 2014 vs 2001).
Specifications side by side
| Dassault Rafale | Su-35S | |
|---|---|---|
| ๐ซ๐ท France | Country of origin | ๐ท๐บ Russia |
| 2001 | In service since | 2014 |
| 1,912 km/h | Top speed | 2,400 km/h |
| 3,700 km | Range | 3,600 km |
| 10.3 t | Weight | 19 t |
| 1 | Crew | 1 |
| 30mm GIAT 30, 14 hardpoints: Meteor, MICA, SCALP, Exocet, ASMP-A nuclear | Armament | 30mm GSh-30-1, 12 hardpoints: R-77, R-73, Kh-31, Kh-59 |
| ~$85M | Unit cost | ~$43M |
| 270+ | Units built | 150+ |
Tables compare stated specifications; real combat outcomes depend on crew training, situation, support and rules of engagement โ not stats alone.