The Russian Defence Ministry will take delivery of the first Su-35 fighter jet for the Russian Air Force by the end of 2010.

In 2009, the defence ministry signed a deal with Sukhoi to purchase 48 modernised Su-35 jets.

The Su-35 Flanker-E, a modification of the Su-27, is a heavy-class, long-range, multirole fighter, according to RIA Novosti.

A fourth-generation fighter aircraft, the Su-35 is equipped with a new radar control system with a phased antenna array called Irbis-E.

The Irbis-E radar control system can detect and track up to 30 air targets and engage up to eight.

The Su-35 can also carry air-to-air and air-to-surface guided missiles, including long-range types.