Heavily Enhanced Russian Su-30 Fighters with Next Generation Engines Delivered to Frontline Air Units

The Russian Aerospace Forces have received a new batch of Su-30SM2 fighter aircraft, which were delivered by the state run United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), after completing the entire cycle of required ground and flight factory testing. Commenting on the delivery, the Corporation observed regarding the aircraft’s capabilities: “The Su-30SM2 boasts high performance characteristics and outstanding manoeuvrability. Extensive modernisation has significantly expanded the aircraft's capabilities. Its powerful radar allows the fighter to ‘see’ significantly further than its predecessor and accurately engage a wide range of ground, air, and sea targets without entering enemy air defence range.”

The Su-30SM2 is one of four fighter types currently being built to meet Russian Defence Ministry orders, alongside the Su-34M strike fighter, Su-35S air superiority fighter, and Su-57 fifth generation fighter, and is significantly older than the other three. While the Su-30, Su-34 and Su-35 are all derivatives of the Soviet Su-27 Flanker design, the Su-30 is by far the least heavily modified, and is significantly less complex or costly to produce than the Su-35 or Su-57, while also being easier to maintain. The discrepancy in performance with the Su-35 is nevertheless, relatively narrow, which has led to the Su-30SM2 being widely seen as a more cost effective aircraft, particularly for missions other than very high intensity air-to-air combat. 

Following major delays to the development of a fifth generation fighter in the 2000s, the Russian Defence Ministry ordered the development of the Su-30SM as a lightly modified derivative of the Su-30MKI ‘4+ generation’ fighter, which had been developed to meet Indian Air Force requirements, and upon entering service in 2002 was widely considered the world’s most capable operational fighter type. The design improved the Su-27 with a much longer range, phased array radar, high-composite airframe, thrust vectoring engines and modern glass cockpit among other improvements. The Su-30SM2 was subsequently brought into service in early 2022 with conservative updates to the original variant’s avionics, and with the integration of the AL-41F-1S engine which was developed for the Su-35. 

The AL-41F-1S provides the Su-30SM2 with a significantly superior flight performance, a much longer range, and significantly more power for onboard systems, while also lowering its maintenance needs. Commenting on the delivery of new fighters, the United Aircraft Corporation CEO Vadim Badekha emphasised that the aircraft are being continuously upgraded based on feedback from operations in the Ukrainian theatre, observing: "UAC facilities are producing and delivering equipment under the state defence procurement program consistently and on schedule. Along with the delivery of equipment, we are working to further improve our aircraft, including with due regard to the experience gained during the special military operation," he said.

Commenting on the capabilities of the Su-30SM2, a pilot assigned to a regiment operating the aircraft observed: "As part of achieving the targets set by the Russian defence minister for the delivery of weapons and military equipment, the crew accepted the Su-30SM2 aircraft. The super-manoeuvrable, multirole Su-30SM2 aircraft are among the most advanced combat aircraft in the Russian Armed Forces. I express my gratitude to the plant’s team for their dedicated work in developing these aircraft.” In early June it was reported that the Iranian Defence Ministry had ordered 12 second hand Su-30SM2 fighters, with these to be delivered in 2027, with the possibility of followup Iranian orders potentially resulting in a slowing of deliveries to the Russian Armed Forces.