Russia to replace current 'light fighters' with MiG-35 | IHS Jane's 360

With fighter development, procurement, and sustainment costs spiralling, a lightweight yet capable aircraft along the lines of the MiG-35 should prove to be a highly desirable prospect for both the VKS and potential international operators alike.

This is a concept that the US Air Force (USAF) adopted in the 1970s with the Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon (light) and the Boeing F-15 Eagle (heavy). However, this light/heavy philosophy lost much of its meaning for the USAF as the F-16 was progressively updated over the years to the point where it was almost as complex and expensive as its larger F-15 stablemate. This is something that Russia will have to avoid if it is to reap the rewards of this concept of operations.