Shenyang J-16 vs Su-35S: how to tell them apart

Two versions of the same family. Name the wrong one in Spotrep and you still get family points, but the exact model scores most.

Shenyang J-16

Combat aircraft, China. In service since 2015

What gives it away

Two-seat Flanker: twin fins, widely spaced engines and a long tail sting, but no canards (unlike the Su-30SM); often seen with a grey radome and Chinese markings.

Used by

China

Su-35S

Combat aircraft, Russia. In service since 2014

What gives it away

Twin tail fins, long nose, large intakes under a broad flat fuselage.

Used by

Russia, China, Algeria

Shenyang J-16 · Su-35S · All guides