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Russia Turns to Old Missile Stockpile for Su-35S Frontline Missions
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Russia has equipped Su-35S fighter jets with older Soviet-designed R-27 air-to-air missiles for missions close to the front line in its war against Ukraine, according to Militarnyi on January 27.
The outlet said Russia’s Defense Ministry released footage showing a Su-35S carrying R-27 missiles instead of the newer R-77-1 that has been widely associated with Russian beyond-visual-range engagements during the war.
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Militarnyi said the use of R-27s in such sorties points to Russia drawing on older missile stocks for tasks where aircraft may face increased risk near the line of contact.
Ukrainian pilots have described operating conditions near the front as involving frequent missile threats, including air-to-air launches.
R-77-1 missiles use an active radar seeker, and a 2022 Royal United Services Institute report said the weapon, paired with modern Russian fighter radars, supports longer-range engagements that can force Ukrainian aircraft to maneuver defensively.
The R-27 is a Soviet-era medium-range air-to-air missile developed in the 1970s by the Vympel Design Bureau. Originally designed for fighters like the MiG-29 and Su-27, it was intended as a versatile solution for engaging various aerial targets.
While advanced for its time, the R-27 is now considered outdated compared to modern air-to-air missile systems, and many air forces have begun phasing it out in favor of more capable, next-generation alternatives.
Russia has increasingly leaned on older Soviet-era stockpiles and refurbished legacy equipment to sustain its campaign in Ukraine as losses mount and replenishment strains production.
In October 2024 said Russia’s $142 billion 2025 war budget reflected rising spending on repairs and manufacturing as stockpiles dwindled, while sanctions and restricted access to components and precision machinery complicated efforts to expand output.
Earlier, it was reported that Ukrainian Mirage 2000‑5F fighters have started carrying French MICA air‑to‑air missiles to expand their aerial interception capabilities against Russian aircraft threats, marking a shift from earlier missile loadouts.
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