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Russian fighter aircraft From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Sukhoi Su-30 (Russian: Сухой Су-30; NATO reporting name: Flanker-C/G/H) is a twin-engine, two-seat supermaneuverable fighter aircraft developed in the Soviet Union by Russia's Sukhoi Aviation Corporation. It is a multirole fighter for all-weather, air-to-air interdiction missions. The Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) were reported to have 130 Su-30SMs in operation as of 2024.[10]
| Su-30 | |
|---|---|
| A Russian Air Force Su-30SM | |
| General information | |
| Type | Multirole air superiority fighter[1] |
| National origin | Soviet Union Russia |
| Designer | Sukhoi |
| Built by | KnAAPO Irkut Corporation Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (built by HAL in India under license) |
| Status | In service |
| Primary users | Russian Aerospace Forces |
| Number built | >630[2][3][4][5][6][7] |
| History | |
| Manufactured | 1992–present |
| Introduction date | 1992 (Su-30)[8] 2013 (Su-30SM)[9] |
| First flight | 31 December 1989 |
| Developed from | Sukhoi Su-27 |
| Variants | Sukhoi Su-30MKI Sukhoi Su-30MKK Sukhoi Su-30MKM Sukhoi Su-30MKA |
The Su-30 started as an internal development project in the Sukhoi Su-27 family by Sukhoi. From the Su-27UB two-seat trainer, the Su-27PU heavy interceptor was developed. The design plan was revamped and the Su-27PU was renamed to Su-30 by the Russian Defense Ministry in 1996. Of the Flanker family, the Su-27, Su-30, Su-33, Su-34 and Su-35 have been ordered into limited or serial production by the Russian Defense Ministry. Later, different export requirements split the Su-30 into two distinct version branches, manufactured by competing organizations: KnAAPO and the Irkut Corporation, both of which come under the Sukhoi aerospace group's umbrella.
KnAAPO manufactures the Su-30MKK and the Su-30MK2, which were designed for and sold to China, and later Indonesia, Uganda, Venezuela, and Vietnam. Due to KnAAPO's involvement from the early stages of developing the Su-35, these are basically a two-seat version of the mid-1990s Su-35. The Chinese chose an older but lighter radar so the canards could be omitted in return for increased payload. It is a fighter with both air supremacy and attack capabilities, generally similar to the U.S. F-15E Strike Eagle.[11]
Irkut traditionally served the Soviet Air Defense and, in the early years of Flanker development, was responsible for manufacturing the Su-27UB, the two-seat trainer version. When India showed an interest in the Su-30, Irkut offered the multirole Su-30MKI, which originated as the Su-27UB modified with avionics appropriate for fighters. Along with its ground-attack capabilities, the series adds features for the air-superiority role, such as canards, thrust-vectoring, and a long-range phased-array radar. Its derivatives include the Su-30MKM, MKA, and SM for Malaysia, Algeria, and Russia respectively. The VKS operates several Su-30s and has ordered the Su-30SM variant as well.
While the original Su-27 had good range, it still did not have enough range for the Soviet Air Defense Forces (PVO, as opposed to VVS – the Soviet Air Force). The Air Defense Forces needed to cover the vast expanse of the Soviet Union. Hence, development began in 1986 on the Su-27PU, an improved-capability variant of the Su-27 capable of serving as a long-range interceptor or airborne command post.[12]
The two-seat Su-27UB combat trainer was selected as the basis for the Su-27PU, because it had the performance of a single-seat Su-27 with seating for two crew members. A "proof-of-concept" demonstrator flew on 6 June 1987, and this led to the kick-off of development work on two Su-27PU prototypes. The first Su-27PU flew at Irkutsk on 31 December 1989, and the first of three pre-production models flew on 14 April 1992.[13]
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The Su-30 is a multirole fighter. It has a two-seat cockpit with an airbrake behind the canopy. It can serve as an air superiority fighter and as a strike fighter.[14]
The integrated aerodynamic configuration, combined with the thrust vectoring control ability, results in high maneuverability and supermaneuverability characteristics. Equipped with a digital fly-by-wire system, the Su-30 can perform some very advanced maneuvers, including the Pugachev's Cobra and the tailslide. These manoeuvers quickly decelerate the aircraft, causing a pursuing fighter to overshoot, as well as breaking a Doppler radar-lock, as the relative speed of the aircraft drops below the threshold where the signal registers to the radar.[15]
Some variants of the Su-30, notably the Su-30MKI and its derivatives including the Su-30MKM and Su-30SM, are fitted with canards to enhance maneuverability and also compensate for the heavier N011M Bars radar and mission systems in the nose. The canards and the reshaped LERX help control the vortices and increase the angle-of-attack limit of the airframe, but they also add drag and reduce the maximum speed to Mach 1.75.[16][17]
As with the baseline Su-27S/P, the Su-30's powerplant incorporates two Saturn AL-31F afterburning low-bypass turbofan engines, fed through intake ramps. Two AL-31Fs, each rated at 122.6 kN (27,600 lbf) of full afterburning thrust for speeds up to Mach 2 in level flight and 1,350 km/h speed at low altitude for non-canard variants. Canted thrust vectoring is used in some variants to enhance maneuverability.[17]
With a normal fuel reserve of 5,270 kg, the Su-30MK is capable of performing a 4.5-hour combat mission with a range of 3,000 km. An aerial refueling system increases the range to 5,200 km (3,200 mi) or flight duration up to 10 hours at cruise altitudes.[17][18]
The aircraft features autopilot ability at all flight stages including low-altitude flight in terrain-following radar mode, and individual and group combat employment against air and ground/sea-surface targets. Automatic control system interconnected with the navigation system ensures route flight, target approach, recovery to airfield and landing approach in automatic mode.[citation needed]
As of 2020, the French firm Thales had integrated its holographic Head-Up Display 3022 system into the Su-30SM. The Russians let the Belarusian side acquire this tool in December 2020. This system is used for tactical situation analysis, map presentation, navigation, attack system, and is used to interrogate avionic sensors and to control effectors.[19] Some of the at least $783,000 that Irkut-Yakovlev sourced from Thales in 2022 were for this system.[20]
The sanctions policy created as a result of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine caused problems with aftermarket sales and servicing of the French systems that have become an integral part of the Su-30SM. The VKS now needs, via its Rosaviaspetskomplekt partner, to have its warplanes maintained by the Kazakhstani firm ARC Group which is the "exclusive distributor of Safran Electronics & Defence in the Republic of Kazakhstan".[10]
In 1994–1996, an initial batch of five original Su-30 (Su-27PU) fighters, contracted for the Russian Defence Ministry, were delivered to 54th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment based at Savasleyka air base.[21] After the regiment was disbanded in 2002, the aircraft became part of 4th Centre for Combat Employment and Retraining of Personnel in Lipetsk where they were flown mostly by Russian Falcons aerobatic team.[22] No further orders of the variant were made. However, the Russian Defence Ministry was impressed with the export Su-30MKI's performance envelope and ordered a local version of the same aircraft for their own use, called the Su-30SM, which is the third adaptation of the MKI after the Malaysian Su-30MKM and the Algerian MKA. A total of 60 Su-30SM fighters, under two contracts signed in March and December 2012, respectively.[citation needed] On 21 September 2012, the Su-30SM performed its maiden flight.[23] The Russian Air Force has received first two serial aircraft on 22 November 2012.[citation needed] By end of 2015, 31st Fighter Aviation Regiment, the last aviation regiment of the Russian Aerospace Forces that operated Soviet-made MiG-29A/UBs (izdeliye 9.12/9.13) was fully rearmed with about twenty new Su-30SM fighters. All aircraft of the first two contracts were delivered by 2016.[citation needed]
Another 36 aircraft were ordered in April 2016, six of which intended for the Russian Naval Aviation.[24] This was to increase the total number to 116 (88 in the Air Force and 28 in the Navy).[25]
In October–November 2016, eight new aircraft were handed to Russian Knights aerobatic team, replacing the team's six Su-27 fighters. The aircraft are stationed at Kubinka air base, Moscow Oblast.[26]
During the 2017 MAKS International Aviation and Space Salon, it was announced that the Russian Defence Ministry and Irkut Corporation are working on modernization of Russia's Su-30SM fighters to a new "Su-30SM1" standard. The modernization is aimed on improvements in aircraft's avionics and armament.[27]
The Su-30SM attained full operational capability (FOC) in January 2018, by a resolution of the Russian president.[28]
In August 2019, the Russian Defence Ministry first signed a contract for undisclosed number of modernized Su-30SM2 (then referred to it as Su-30SM1) fighters. First deliveries to the Russian Aerospace Forces are scheduled for late 2020 with serial deliveries to commence in 2021. The aircraft will receive the N035 Irbis radar and AL-41F1S engines of the Su-35S, what is to standardize and reduce operational costs of the two variants. The aircraft's armament will be also enhanced of the new KAB-250 aerial bombs and Kh-59MK2 stealth cruise missiles. It is planned to modernize all Russia's Su-30SMs to the SM2 standard.[29]
On 25 August 2020, a contract for 21 modernized Su-30SM2 aircraft for the Russian Naval Aviation was signed at the 'ARMY-2020' military-technical forum.[30][31][32]
In September 2015, Russia deployed Su-30SM fighters for the first time to Bassel Al-Assad International Airport in Latakia, Syria. At least four Su-30SM fighters were spotted in a satellite photo.[33] In late December 2015, there were 16 Su-30SMs at Khmeimim Air Base.[34] As part of their combat deployment, they provided target illumination for bombers launching airstrikes against rebel groups.[35]
Su-30SMs were initially tasked with aerial escort of Russian attack jets and strategic bombers but conducted also air to ground duties. On 21 March 2017, rebel forces launched a new offensive in the Hama province; a few days later a video emerged showing a Russian Aerospace Forces Su-30SM striking ground targets with unguided air-to-ground rockets in a dive attack against the rebels.[citation needed]
On 3 May 2018, a Russian Aerospace Forces Su-30 crashed shortly after take-off from the Khmeimim Air Base, killing both crew members.[36]
Russian Su-30SM and Su-35s fighters were used for air superiority missions during the war. Combined, at least seven air to air victories were reported over Ukrainian jet aircraft[37] and one over a Ukrainian Naval Aviation Mil Mi-14.[38] In turn, Russia lost six Su-30SMs in the air, and five were observed to be lost on the ground.[39]
A Russian Su-30 was destroyed on the ground by Ukrainian OTR-21 Tochka missiles fired during the Millerovo air base attack.[40] On 5 March 2022 a Russian Naval Aviation Su-30SM was shot down in Bashtanka area, Mykolayiv Oblast. The pilot was captured.[41][42][43] On 13 March 2022 another aircraft was lost over Ukraine; the pilot, Kosyk Serhiy Serhiyovych, survived and was captured.[44] On 9 August 2022, explosions at Saky air base in Novofedorivka, Crimea left at least three Su-30s destroyed and one damaged according to satellite imagery.[45][46] On 18 August a Su-30SM, serial number RF-81771, had its wreckage recorded in Kharkiv region in the Izyum direction.[47] Another Su-30SM, serial number RF-81773 callsign Red 62, was discovered by Ukrainian forces near Izium, Kharkiv. Fate of the pilots is unknown.[48][49]
On 27 August 2023, Ukrainian media, citing claims made by the Security Service of Ukraine, said that 16 Sypaq Corvo Precision Payload Delivery System drones had been used in an attack on the Kursk Vostochny Airport in Russia, with three shot down and the others hitting four Su-30s and one MiG-29 aircraft. An S-300 radar and two Pantsir air defence systems were also reportedly hit.[50][51]
First talks about acquiring of new fighter for the Indian Air Force began in 1994. A year later, Sukhoi Design Bureau started working on the new fighter based on the original Su-30 design, which later evolved into Su-30MK (Modernizirovannyi Kommercheskiy - Modernised Commercial) and ultimately into Su-30MKI (Modernizirovannyi Kommercheskiy Indiski - Modernised Commercial Indian).[52] On 30 November 1996, Russian state company Rosvooruzhenie (now Rosoboronexport) and Indian Defence Ministry signed a contract for development and production of eight Su-30Ks and 32 Su-30MKIs for the Indian Air Force.[52][53] In March–July 1997, all eight Su-30Ks of the order were delivered at Lohegaon Air Force Base in India.[54] On 28 December 2000, as part of the Russian-Indian cooperation, a contract worth more than US$3 billion was signed for license production of 140 Su-30MKI fighters at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) production plant in Nashik.[53][55] Between 2002–2004, in accordance with the 1996 contract, 32 Su-30MKIs were built by Irkutsk Aviation Plant for the Indian Air Force.[53] From 2004 onwards, production is carried by HAL.[citation needed]
In 2007, India and Russia agreed to a deal for another 40 Su-30MKIs for US$1.6 billion, to be produced in India under licence.[56] In March 2010, it was reported India and Russia were negotiating a contract for additional 42 aircraft.[citation needed] The contract worth US$1.6 billion was signed in December 2011, increasing the total number of ordered aircraft up to 272.[57] By March 2020, India had completed the production of all 272 Su-30MKIs licensed under previous contracts.[58] The country was also considering acquisition of 12 more fighters to compensate for Su-30 losses over nearly 20 years of operation.[59] In 2020, due to the 2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, India determined to purchase 12 additional Su-30MKIs.[60]
In 2024, Indian media reported negotiations between HAL and Russia for exporting Indian-produced Su-30MKIs. This may be to circumvent American economic sanctions on the export of Russian weapons and their technology.[61]
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To better counter USAF's expanding capabilities in the region, in 1996, an agreement worth US$1.8 billion was reached with Russia to purchase some 38 multirole combat aircraft based on the original Su-30 design. Taking into account China's requirements for its new fighter, the aircraft became known as Su-30MKK (Modernizirovannyi Kommercheskiy Kitayski - Modernised Commercial Chinese).[62]
In March 1999, first prototype took off from Gromov Flight Research Institute in Russia and a year later it appeared at Zhuhai Air Show in China. People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) has received first batch of ten Su-30MKK fighters in December 2000, following by second and third batches of ten fighters in August and December 2001, respectively. In July 2001, China has ordered 38 more Su-30MKK fighters.[62]
A modified variant, known as "Su-30MK2", was negotiated for the People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force (PLANAF) in 2002, with contract for 24 aircraft signed in 2003. All the aircraft were delivered to PLANAF in 2004.[62]
The Myanmar Air Force ordered 6 Su-30SMEs in 2018.[63][64] 2 Su-30SMEs delivered in March 2022 and entered service on 15 December.[65][66] Between 4 and 6 have arrived as of November 2022.[67] 4 delivered as of 15 December 2023.[68][69] The Myanmar Air Force has between 8 and 10 Su-30SMEs.[citation needed]
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Malaysia ordered 18 Su-30MKMs in May 2003. The first two Su-30MKMs were formally handed over in Irkutsk on 23 May 2007 and arrived in Malaysia at RMAF Gong Kedak Air Base in Terengganu on 21 June 2007.[70] As part of the contract agreement, Russia sent the first Malaysian cosmonaut to the International Space Station in October 2007.[71] In 2014, Malaysia had 18 Su-30MKMs in service.[72]
According to Malaysian defense Minister Mohamad Sabu, Malaysia has grounded 14 of 18 Su-30MKM due to engine problems and unavailability of spare parts in 2018.[73][74][75] To overcome this problem and increase the readiness of the Su-30MKM fleets, Malaysia has approved the budget worth RM2.2 billion for the Su-30MKM to be upgraded locally by Aerospace Technology Systems Corporation. The first upgraded aircraft was received in 2019 in LIMA 2019 exhibition.[76][77]
The Government of Venezuela announced on 14 June 2006 it would purchase 24 Su-30MKV fighters from Russia. The first two Su-30MK2s arrived in early December 2006 while another eight were commissioned during 2007; 14 more aircraft arrived in 2008.[78] In October 2015, Venezuela announced the purchase of 12 more Su-30MKVs from Russia for US$480 million.[79][unreliable source?][80]
As part of wider US$8 billion deal signed with Russia in 2006, that also included 34 MiG-29 fighters and number of Yak-130 trainers, Algeria has ordered 28 Su-30MKAs for its air force. It was to receive additional 16 Su-30MKAs in exchange for the 39 MiG-29s rejected due to quality disputes and old equipment used.[81][82] By 2015, it had 44 Su-30MKAs in service with 14 more on order.[83][84][85]
In September 2019, Algeria ordered 16 more aircraft. As of 2022, it has 70 Su-30MKAs in service.[86]
Uganda signed a contract for six Su-30MK2s in 2010.[87] Deliveries took place between June 2011 and June 2012. In November 2011, one aircraft performed a belly landing at Entebbe International Airport. It was later repaired.[88]
In 2001, reports emerged Indonesia has showed an interest to acquire about 16 Su-30 fighters,[89] as a replacement for its ageing fleet of 12 F-16A/B and F-5E/F fighters. From 2003 to 2011, and because of the U.S-imposed arms embargo against it, it has ordered a combined 11 Su-30MKK/MK2s (2 Su-30MKK and 9 Su-30MK2) for the Air Force.[90] In September 2013, it had all Su-30MKK/MK2s in inventory.[90] The aircraft were upgraded by Belarus in 2019.[91]
As part of a US$1 billion deal that also includes other equipment and maintenance services for the country, Angola has ordered 12 out of 18 former Indian Su-30K fighters on 16 October 2013. The Su-30Ks were initially delivered to India in 1997–1998, but were returned to Russia in 2007 in exchange for 18 full-fledged Su-30MKI fighters.[92] Angola received first two aircraft in September 2017,[93][94] four in 2018[95] and the rest in April 2019. Angolan Su-30Ks were also upgraded to the "SM" standard.[96]
Vietnam has received about 20 Su-30MK2s under two contracts signed in 2009 and 2010, respectively.[citation needed] On 21 August 2013, Russia announced it would deliver another batch of 12 Su-30MK2s under a $450 million contract, with deliveries in 2014–2015.[citation needed]
On 14 June 2016, a Su-30MK2 of the Vietnamese Air Force went missing during a training flight 30–40 km off the coast of Nghệ An Province. One out of the two pilots survived.[97] At the time, there were some 32 Su-30MK2s in service.[98]
Kazakhstan has ordered in total 24 Su-30SM fighters under three contracts. It received first four Su-30SMs under the first contract worth of RUB 5 billion in April 2015.[99][100] A second contract for eight aircraft was signed in December 2015.[101]
The first two aircraft of the second order were delivered in December 2016[102][103] and another two in December 2017.[104] The third order for 12 more aircraft was approved in August 2017[105][106] and eight aircraft were ordered in May 2018.[107] The last four aircraft of the second contract were delivered in December 2018.[108] It had 12 Su-30SMs in service as of December 2018.[109]
In January 2016, then Armenian Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan mentioned that Russia had discussed the possibility of supplying Su-30 fighters to Armenia during a four-day Russian-Armenian intergovernmental commission on bilateral military-technical cooperation.[110] Armenia has ordered four Su-30SMs in February 2019, with deliveries expected to begin in 2020.[111][112] The country plans to acquire additional Su-30SM aircraft, according to the Armenian Defense Minister David Tonoyan.[113]
On 27 December 2019, Armenia has received all four aircraft ahead of schedule. The aircraft landed at the Shirak Airport during a visit of Armenian Defense Minister David Tonoyan and Chief of the General Staff of the Armenian Armed Forces Artak Davtyan.[114][115] In August 2020, negotiations were under way to acquire a new batch of Su-30SM fighters, according to Armenian Defense Minister David Tonoyan.[116]
In March 2021, Nikol Pashinyan, Prime Minister of Armenia, confirmed that Armenia bought Su-30SM fighters without missiles package from Russia.[117][118][119]
These aircraft were left unused in the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war as a result of the purchase of aircraft without missiles.[117][119] On September 16, 2024, Armenia reached out to India for assistance in procuring Astra missiles for their Su-30s.[120] Assistance was also being sought from HAL for their expertise in upgrading the Su-30.[121]
In February 2016, Russia and Belarus concluded a preliminary agreement regarding to the export of an undisclosed number of Su-30s to Belarus.[122] On 20 June 2017, during the Le Bourget international air show, Belarus signed a contract to purchase 12 Su-30SMs under a deal worth US$600 million[123] and were originally planned to be delivered in 2018.[124][125] Western embargoes on components delayed delivery, with the first four aircraft arriving at Baranovichi Air Base in November 2019, with four more planned to arrive to 2020 with deliveries completed in 2021.[126] 8 additional Su-30s were scheduled to arrive in 2024.[127]
On 13 July 2024, a Russian Shahed drone entered Belarusian air space without authorization. A Belarusian Su-30 was sortied to intercept the drone. The drone eventually crashed in western Belarus, 60 miles west of Minsk.[128]
In February 2016, Iran's then Defence Minister Hossein Dehghan during his visit to Moscow announced that the country intends to buy an undisclosed number of Su-30SM fighters.[129]
In 2021, Russia offered the Argentine Air Force a batch of 15 MiG-29 fighters and another batch of 12 Su-30 fighters and seeks also the sale of Yak-130 training jet and Mil Mi-17 helicopters.[130]
Algeria
Angola
Armenia
Belarus
Ethiopia
India
Indonesia
Kazakhstan
Malaysia
Myanmar
People's Republic of China
Russia
Uganda
Venezuela
Vietnam
Data from KnAAPO,[17] Sukhoi,[18] Gordon and Davison,[197] deagel.com,[198] airforce-technology.com[199]
General characteristics
Performance
Armament
Avionics
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Related lists
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