The MiG-35’s design is grounded in the solutions implemented in the MiG-29K/KUB carrierborne multirole and MiG-29M/M2 air superiority fighters. They include an increased payload on nine hardpoints, an increased fuel load, the mid-air refueling system and buddy-buddy refueling capability. The advanced fighter’s airframe and key systems have corrosion-resistant protection meeting the standards applied to carrierborne aircraft, which contributes much to the type’s operation in adverse climes. The MiG-35 also features a reduced radar signature and has the three-channel digital integrated quadruple-redundant fly-by-wire control system.

     Special attention was paid to enhancing the MiG-35’s operating characteristics, in particular, the airframe, engine and avionics reliability and airframe service life extension. According to MiG Corp., the MiG-35’s flying hour costs almost 2.5 times less than that of the MiG-29.