The JSC Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG has presented the first batch of MiG-35 multi-purpose warplanes. Flight tests of the multipurpose plane will begin in 2016.

The MiG-35 has a necessary set of avionics enabling the use of all means of currently available air weapons against aerial, ground and surface targets. It also had a single or a double seat option which was previously assigned to specialized training and combat aircraft.

Today, the corporation has been working on the preparations for the production launch of the new generation 4 ++ fighters.

"We have done a lot to increase the life of the aircraft and to reduce the cost of its operation, which is essential for the light fighter. An additional competitive advantage of MiG-35 is the possibility to use the exploitation of MiG-29 infrastructure. We hope that the MiG-35 will go into Russian Aerospace Forces in the period of 2018-2020," the General Director of Corporation MiG, Sergei Korotkov said.

A deep development of the MiG-29 family, the advanced jet can simultaneously lock on to 10 targets and can engage up to six of them. In contrast with its predecessors, the MiG-35 has made significant evolutionary steps:

• It carries more weapons;

• Flight costs 2.5 times less;

• Pilots use helmet imaging systems;

• The plane carries more fuel and can participate in air refueling as both "recipient" and "donor";

• The MiG-35 is equipped with a very sophisticated electronic warfare system and an anti-missile system;

• It has a range of 5th generation aircraft characteristics etc.

"The contract for the R & D work is in progress. We have carried out the first stage of this project — which is the technical part. It has been protected and accepted by the Ministry of Defense. That is why we go to the part of the contract, which was signed by the Ministry of Defense.

Today the plane, located here, has passed all stages of assembly and this year it will be compiled and presented to the customer a summer trial," said Korotkov.

The expert further said, "Even today, it is made from the fifth-generation features such as stealth and multi-functionality. There is a specific requirement for the cabin and aerodynamic device in which the pilot is seated."

The aircraft can reach speeds of Mach 2.23 and fly as high as 19,000 meters. In addition, the aircraft can carry a full range of existing and prospective aircraft weapons.

"It simultaneously captures 10 targets and can strike four to six targets at the same time," Korotkov said.

The jet is armed with a 30mm gun, air-to-air, air-to-surface, anti-ship, anti-radar missiles, rockets, bombs and aerial mines. The MiG-35 aircraft was first presented internationally during the Aero India 2007 air show.