Why F-15EX Eagle II Outperforms MiG-35 Fulcrum
Why F-15EX Eagle II Outperforms MiG-35 Fulcrum
The F-15EX Eagle II, a fourth-generation plus fighter that combines superior avionics, weapons, and mission flexibility, shines out in contemporary air warfare. Although it performs well, Russia’s MiG-35 Fulcrum-F is unable to match the F-15EX’s overall combat advantage. Here’s why.

1. Performance: Payload, Power, and Range
Eagle II, F-15EX:
With its twin General Electric F110-GE-129 engines (about 29,000 lbf of thrust each) and sophisticated fly-by-wire controls, the F-15EX can reach Mach 2.5 and, in clean form, perhaps close to Mach 2.9.
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Its battle radius surpasses 1,000 nautical miles, with structural upgrades allowing up to 23 weapon stations and an astounding 29,500 pounds of cargo.
Its lengthy engine lifespan and extremely cheap operating expenses let it to fly for about 20,000 hours, compared to rival fighters’ lower numbers.
MiG-35 Fulcrum-F:
Powered by two RD-33MK engines (about 9,000 kgf of thrust each), it reaches Mach 2.25, climbs well (330 m/s), and has a service ceiling of around 17.5 km.
With a lighter cargo capacity of around 6.5 t over nine hardpoints, the combat range is restricted to roughly 500–1,400 km, depending on the payload.
The F-15EX has more speed, reach, and lethality than the MiG-35, despite the latter’s agility and compactness.
2. Sensor Superiority and Avionics
F-15EX:
The F-15EX is outfitted with the advanced APG-82(V)1 AESA radar and incorporates OMS open-architecture for quick updates, EPAWSS electronic warfare systems, and JHMCS helmet cueing.
Superior awareness and survivability are provided by the ISRT pods, targeting systems, and advanced EW suite.
MiG-35:
Highlights include the OLS-35 infrared/optical systems for passive detection and the Phazotron Zhuk-AE AESA radar, which can track around 30 targets and manage six engagements. Optional features include EW pods (MSP-418KE), IRST sensors, and a contemporary glass cockpit.
The F-15EX has more robust integration, upgrade routes, and multi-domain situational awareness than the MiG-35, despite the latter’s good avionics.
3. Versatility of Mission and Weapons Load
F-15EX:
Often referred to as a “missile truck,” it is capable of transporting up to 12 AIM-120 AMRAAMs in addition to other cutting-edge weapons including JASSM, JDAMs, Small Diameter Bombs, and even the hypersonic AGM-183 ARRW.
It has 23 hardpoints and new AMBER racks, which allows it to carry four times as much cargo as many fighters.
MiG-35:
With nine hardpoints and a payload of around 6.5 t, it is equipped with R-77, R-73 air-to-air missiles, Kh-29/Kh-31 air-to-ground/anti-ship missiles, and precision-guided bombs like the KAB-500.
The F-15EX is far more versatile and deadly for a variety of tasks.
4. Operational Cost, Lifecycle, and Commonality
F-15EX:
Its smooth integration into the current F-15 infrastructure reduces the need for maintenance and training.
Long-term upgrading costs are decreased by open design and digital fly-by-wire controls.
Longer engine and airframe service life results in cheaper costs.-per flight hour
MiG-35:
focuses on small quantities and has limited export success and manufacturing issues, which leads to lesser scale benefits and less platform consistency.
Lack of economies of scale and perhaps greater maintenance costs per unit.
5. Market and Strategic Facts
F-15EX:
Proven in real-world exercises and already deployed in the United States Air Force, supported by partnerships and industrial capacity
benefits from ongoing modernization, interoperability, and improvements.
MiG-35:
has had difficulty obtaining orders; it is constrained by geopolitics and eclipsed by Sukhoi platforms.
Resilient global supply chains and support infrastructure are reduced.
6. Opinion of the Expert Community
Consensus from defense discussion forums highlights the F-15EX’s ongoing significance:
“The F-15EX is essentially a truck that transports missiles.”
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That sums up its strategic application: delivering missiles from the rear while relying on front-line stealth assets.
Another viewpoint highlights MiG-35’s limitations in terms of platform success and market reach:
“MiG-35 lost all of the tenders it applied for.”
In conclusion
The F-15EX Eagle II significantly outperforms the MiG-35 in terms of speed, payload, avionics, mission flexibility, operational economy, and strategic longevity, despite the MiG-35 being a competent and contemporary multirole fighter of the 4++ generation. The F-15EX is a more powerful, flexible, and sustainable aircraft for today’s air combat requirements due to its integration, scalability, and contemporary architecture rather than its design, which both excel at.