Famous aerobatic teams Strizhi and Russian Knights will start operating Su-30SM and Su-35 fighters soon. They will be the first pilots of the air forces to operate the new vehicles, RIA Novosti reports. It was stated by the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian air forces, Lieutenant General, Viktor Bondarev.

The RF vice-premier, Dmitry Rogozin, has instructed the appropriate authorities earlier to deliver the advanced Su-30SM and Su-35 fighters to the legendary aerobatic teams.

"They are operating good and proven MiG-29 and Su-27 jets. We demonstrated these fighters to the world and we will continue to operate them. But Su-30SM and Su-35 aircraft are a large step forward, especially Su-35. It must be operated by the aerobatic team and we must demonstrate the superiority of our aircraft, the work of our designers, enterprises and our aircraft industry", — Viktor Bondarev said.

"I believe that the Su-30SM and Su-35 fighters will be the next step for these aerobatic teams", — he said.

He noted that these jets have a long service life: they may be operated for a long time and perform flights to different countries.

"The deliveries will be started after the completion of preliminary operational testing", — Viktor Bondarev noted. However, he did not specify the exact delivery dates.

"I would like to thank the government for providing the air forces with the advanced aircraft so we can demonstrate our capabilities worldwide", — the Commander-in-Chief said.

Viktor Bondarev also confirmed that no one will re-deploy Strizhi and Russian Knights aerobatic teams – they will stay in Kubinka. "Strizhi and Russian Knights will remain in Kubinka. We will also create another aerobatic team, which would operate Yak-130 operational trainers – it is also a great aircraft and we should demonstrate it", — the Commander-in-Chief added.

"At present many countries are trying to develop a primary trainer. We have already developed Yak-130. It meets all the requirements and we can train pilots using this jet instead of the real fighters. It is also suitable for air weapon training", — the general noted.

At present Strizhi are operating MiG-29 fighters and Russian Knights are using Su-27s.