Russia and Her Glorious Airforce

Russia makes the best fighter planes (along with the best military equipment overall). Their reasoning is simple and involves two strategies:

• Build aircraft that exclusively rival or counter American aircraft
• Design these aircraft to be effective, yet far cheaper and easier to produce

For instance, the above aircraft is an Sukhoi-30MK. This is one of the most modern models of the SU-27 family (which debuted in the 80s) and is popular for export purposes (specifically to India, Iran, Venezuela and China). The SU-35 is another modern model that is used mostly by the Russian Air Force and is their current rival to the newest American air supremacy fighter, the F-22. Indeed, the F-22 is individually superior to the SU-35 in aeronautics, electronics and weapon systems, but the SU-35 victory comes in cost. The SU-35 only costs 35 million to the F-22's 140 million.

So in likely theory, two F-22s in an beyond-visual range (BVR) engagement with a squadron of five Su-35s would lead to the acceptable loss of two-three SU-35s in the first attack. In the counter, the remaining SU-35s would engage in within-visual range dogfighting and, with their superior mobility, probably down two very expenisive American fighters. Of course, this is only theoretical, because there's many factors to consider (pilot skill, AWACS support, SAM/AA systems).

Though even with this strategy, Russia still has to produce the difference in equipment (they are not at full capacity yet). This is why their testing and employing new techniques and features. For instance, while the US bloats about "stealth" aircraft, Russia tests its own versatile stealth features on its long-range bombers and fighters over the Arctic. Though when concerning Russia, stealth is only one of many technological feats that they've played around with over the years.