Su-30 the Multi Role Russian Fighter

AIRCRAFT PROFILE Sukhoi Su-30 Flanker

“I have always dreamed of something extraordinary, but this Su-30SM sortie exceeded by far my dreams and expectations.”

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OLONEL RADIK Bariev, commanding the Russian defence ministry 929th State Flight Test Centre, is a seasoned military test pilot with more than 2,000 flight test hours. He says without hesitation that the thrust-vectoring Su-30MKI, which he flew during its qualification testing in the early 2000s, is the most memorable of the many types in his logbook. It boasts excellent aerodynamic performance, combined with an advanced fly-by-wire (FBW) flight control system (FCS) and plenty of thrust. Col Bariev asserts that the aircraft provides virtually unlimited handling capabilities thanks to its thrust-vectoring control (TVC) technology. Furthermore, the TVC Flanker has led pilots to rethink handling techniques in the post-stall regime and weapons employment opportunities at speeds close to zero. Russian Air Force air combat instructors with considerable experience on the Su-27 tested the then new Su-30MKI at the Lipetsk combat training centre in the early 2000s, enthusiastically declaring it the fighter they needed. The TVC Flanker finally arrived at Lipetsk, modified for Russian service, in August 2013, when the first Su-30SMs were delivered for field trials and instructor training. After his first familiarisation ride, the centre’s outspoken and long-time CO, Maj Gen Alexander Kharchevskiy, rapturously declared: “I have always dreamed of something extraordinary, but this Su-30SM sortie exceeded by far my dreams and expectations.” Despite the presence of the theoretically more advanced Su-35S, the Su-30MKI/MKA/ MKM/SM series is widely

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considered as the premier Russian fighter. In contrast to the redesigned, single-seat Su-35S, which is plagued by teething troubles, the proven multi-role Su-30MKI/MKA/MKM/SM was declared combat-ready some time ago. It is compatible with a wide variety of air-to-surface and air-to-air weaponry and has been a subject to incremental upgrades. It is noteworthy that the Su-30MKI for India, Su-30MKM for Malaysia and Algeria’s Su-30MKA boast more capable mission avionics than the Su-30SM built for the Russian Air and Space Force (RuASF) and Russian Naval Aviation (RNA), and for export to Kazakhstan. The Indian, Malaysian and Algerian Flankers employ high-tech optronic targeting pods which, combined with an 8-tonne warload, makes them capable tactical bombers. They are also compatible with advanced reconnaissance pods and can be employed in the buddy-buddy air-refuelling role. Moreover, a portion of the Indian Su-30MKI fleet is slated for imminent integration with the Russo-Indian BhraMos-A air-launched, conventionally tipped, Mach 2.5 cruise missile.

Su-30MKI

Dating back to November 1996, the Indian Su-30 deal involved development of a vastly improved two-seat derivative of the baseline Flanker with true multi-role capabilities, new, fully digital avionics and greatly enhanced low-speed agility. The Su-30MKI (K for Komercheskiy [Commercial] and I for India) emerged from an extremely ambitious specification calling for a multi-mode phased-array radar and

advanced avionics incorporating locally manufactured, Israeli and Western components. Previously unseen manoeuvrability was bestowed on the variant through an enhanced aerodynamic layout with canard foreplanes, a sophisticated FBW system and two-dimensional (2D) TVC engines. The aircraft was to be capable of employing a wide range of precision-guided air-to-surface weapons and active radar-homing (ARH) air-to-air missiles (AAMs), and capable of a ten-hour mission. The original US$1.8bn Su-30MKI contract was signed between the Indian defence ministry and Rosvooruzhenie (the premier state-owned Russian arms export agency of the 1990s, which was re-branded Rosoboronexport in 2000) on November 30, 1996. Irkut was the primary Russian contractor for Su-30MKI design, development and test, while the Sukhoi Design Bureau, the type’s design authority, was the main subcontractor with design responsibility. The 929th State Flight Test Centre at Akhtubinsk performed Su-30MKI qualification testing, certifying that the aircraft’s airworthiness and operational capabilities were compliant with the customer’s specification before deliveries commenced. The test and evaluation effort continued in Russia until 2006. The original contract called for delivery of an initial batch of 40 air-

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Russian The Multi-Role

The vastly improved two-seat Sukhoi Su-30, with thrust-vectoring control and multi-role capabilities, was first exported in the late 1990s, but Russia only ordered its first examples in 2012. Alexander Mladenov profiles the fighter, which is set to remain in production well into the 2020s. craft built at Irkut’s IAZ plant in the city of Irkutsk, western Siberia. The contract also stipulated delivery of eight ‘vanilla’ Su-30Ks as a stopgap solution until mass Su-30MKI deliveries could begin, since the development programme was expected to take at least five years. The Su-30Ks were delivered in spring 1997. The model was a slightly improved Su-27UB two-seater equipped with export-standard avionics, a strengthened fuselage structure, improved flight control system and inflight refuelling capability. To meet the plethora of challenges associated with the extremely sophisticated Su-30MKI configuration, Irkut and Sukhoi were obliged to establish co-operation from scratch with a number of industrial partners in India and major thirdparty companies in the West. The huge, expensive design and development effort was completed within a reasonable timeframe

thanks to full funding from India. Three pre-production aircraft supported the wide-ranging development programme. Aircraft designated Su-30I-2, I-4 and I-5 were involved in the prolonged testing of new design features. Another, Su-30I-7, was added later to support the complex and slow-moving avionics testing and evaluation effort. The initial Su-30MKI prototype, based on a series-production Su-30 fuselage and powered by AL-31FP TVC engines, made its first flight on July 1, 1997, in the hands of Sukhoi test pilot Vyacheslav Averyanov. Its aerodynamic configuration included the MKI’s all-moving canards and the modified SDU-10MK FBW FCS was integrated with the thrust-vectoring engine nozzles.

TVC engine

The Su-30MKI’s AL-31FP afterburning turbofan uses a 2D moving nozzle that can deflect through 15o up and down, with swelling axis canted 32o sideways. This smart design enables vertical and lateral control forces through thrust vectoring, as well as differential deflection of the widely spaced nozzles.

Above: The two contracts covering a total of 60 Su-30SMs for the RuASF, dating from 2012, are set for completion this year. In addition, the Russian MoD says a contract should be signed shortly to acquire another 60 to 70 aircraft for delivery between between 2017 and 2019. Irkut

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AIRCRAFT PROFILE Sukhoi Su-30 Flanker An Indian Air Force Su-30MKI from the 11th Wing at Tezpur AFS flies in formation with a RAF Typhoon during Exercise Indradhanush held at RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire, in July 2015. MOD Crown Copyright

The nozzles can be synchronised with the tailplanes or moved independently. Differential thrust control enables the TVC Flanker to manoeuvre at extremely low or even zero airspeed, when its aerodynamic control surfaces are ineffective. Sukhoi was solely responsible for developing the new aerodynamics and FBW system, and integrating

Right: An early-production Su30SM takes off with engines in full afterburner. The jet belongs to the RuAF’s Lipetsk training centre and is operated by the Flanker-equipped squadron of the 968th Instructor-Research Composite Aviation Regiment. Andrey Zinchuk via Alexander Mladenov

the new engines, but the avionics suite arose through an international project. It was badly held up, allegedly after the Indian Air Force (IAF) dragged its heels on approving the final configuration. This delayed the entire Su-30MKI programme, leading to a production slip and causing the IAF to order an additional batch of ten Su-30Ks, taken on strength in mid-1999.

Including French, Indian, Israeli, Russian and Ukrainian systems, the final avionics specification was not issued before 1998. Primary integrator was the Russian Ramenskoye Instrument Design Bureau (better known under its Russian-language abbreviation RPKB). Based on a quadruple-channel Mil Std 1553B avionics data bus, the

Above: An Su-30MKI newly assembled by HAL Nasik taxies out for a functional check flight in May 2007. Alan Warnes Below: The Royal Malaysian Air Force Su-30MKMs are the most capable among all the two-seat TVC Flanker derivatives, coming equipped with an integrated self-protection suite and boasting the Thales Damocles targeting pod. Alan Warnes

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RPKB-integrated suite incorporated several new-generation Russian systems, including the Tikhomirov NIIP N011M Bars radar and UOMZ OLS-30I optronic targeting system. The Ukrainian Arsenal Sura-K pilot’s helmet-mounted cueing system (HMCS) was also installed. The Indians contributed the mission computer, based on the DRDO digital processing unit, VHF/UHF radios, IFF, navigation aids and Tarang radar-warning receiver (RWR). France provided a Sagem cockpit display system with three MFD55 5 × 5in (127 × 127mm) multi-function liquidcrystal displays (LCDs) in each cockpit, plus an MFD66 6 × 6in (152 × 152mm) LCD display in the rear cockpit. Sagem also supplied the Sigma 95 inertial navigation system/global positioning system (INS/GPS).


Below: An Su-30SM from the 120th SAP, home-based at Domna in Siberia, in flight during the Russian campaign in Syria. It is armed with four R-27 and two R-73 air-to-air missiles, a typical configuration for air-to-air combat air patrols during military intervention. Russian MOD

Israeli systems included the Elbit SU967 head-up display (HUD), Elta EL/M-8222 active jamming system and Rafael Litening III targeting pod. Two types of Israeli reconnaissance pod were also delivered, the Elbit Systems Condor 2 long-range oblique photography (LOROP) system and IAI/ ELTA ELM-2060 synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and ground moving target indicator (GMTI) system.

Weapons control

The Su-30MKI’s weapons control system is based on the N011M Bars, equipped with a 1,000mm (39.37in) diameter passive electronically-scanned array (PESA), mechanically steered in azimuth and elevation. This way the radar beam can be steered up to 70o to the left and right (azimuth) and 40o up and down (elevation). The PESA radar installed in the Su-30MKI/MKA/MKM includes


Indian RC1 and RC2 digital processors, which work simultaneously in the air-to-air and air-to-surface modes. Radar development was protracted and the definitive configuration, with operating modes as per the IAF specification, was handed not delivered before 2012. Data released by Tikhomirov credits the N011M with a head-on detection range of 140km (76nm)

against small fighters; Bars is also advertised as capable of simultaneously tracking no fewer than 15 airborne targets and supporting the simultaneous engagement of four of these with RVV-AE (R-77) beyond visual range (BVR) ARH missiles. The radar’s air-to-surface modes enable detection and tracking of fixed and moving targets; it can

also provide ground mapping with low, medium and high resolution, and facilitate terrain-following flight in automatic mode. Bars is advertised as capable of detecting a group of tanks at 45 to 50km (24 to 27nm) with a resolution of 20m (66ft). A small-to-medium size surface target can be seen from 120 to 170km (65 to 91nm) and a large

Su-30MKI weaponry ORDNANCE LOADS cleared for the Su-30MKI include up to ten Vympel RVV-AE ARH BVR missiles or as many as six R-27ER1 semi-active radar homing BVR missiles, two R-27TE1 IR-homing BVR missiles and up to six R-73E WVR IR-guided missiles. Air-to-ground weaponry includes Kh-29TE and Kh-59ME TV-guided missiles, the Kh-31A ARH anti-ship missile, and KAB-500Kr and KAB-1500Kr TV-guided bombs. The Litening III targeting pod enables the employment of laser-guided bombs and missiles of Russian and Israeli origin. The heaviest warload yet flown included 32 OFAB-250-270 fragmentation/high-explosive free-fall bombs on multiple ejector racks, for a total of 17,632lb (8,000kg). A GSh-301 30mm singlebarrel cannon is built into the starboard side of the forward fuselage, with the muzzle protruding alongside the rear cockpit. The gun is provided with 150 rounds, sufficient for five to six seconds of continuous firing of highly destructive 13oz (390g) projectiles at a rate of fire of 2530 rounds per second. 

Su-30SM Specification Wing span: 48ft 3in (14.70m) Length overall: 71ft 11in (21.94m) Height: 20ft 10in (6.36m) Wing area: 667sq ft (62m2) Normal take-off weight: 56,658lb (25,700kg) Maximum take-off weight: 74,956lb (34,000kg) Maximum weapon load: 17,637lb (8,000kg) Normal internal fuel load: 11,615lb (5,270kg) Maximum internal fuel load: 21,247lb (9,640kg) Maximum speed at sea level: 728kts (1,350km/h) Maximum speed at high altitude: 1,144kts (2,120km/h) Maximum operating speed: Mach 2.0 Practical ceiling: 56,744ft (17,300m) Ferry range at high altitude: 1,618nm (3,000km) Ferry range at low altitude: 685nm (1,270km) Ferry range with one air refuelling: 2,805nm (5,200km) Take-off run: 1,804ft (500m) Landing run: 2,460ft (750m) g limit: +9 Powerplant: two Saturn AL-31FP TVC turbofans each rated at 16,940lb (75.5kN) thrust dry and 27,500lb (122.6kN) thrust with full afterburner

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AIRCRAFT PROFILE Sukhoi Su-30 Flanker bridge or ship at 400km (216nm). Installed ahead of the windscreen and offset to starboard, the OLS-30 optronic locator and targeting system integrates an infrared search and track (IRST) sensor and laser rangefinder. It is quoted as being capable of tracking aerial targets at high altitude at up to 90km (49nm) tail-on and 50km (27nm) head-on, and scans through 60o in azimuth, and 150 down and 60o in elevation. The system has two fields of view – wide (20o × 5o) and narrow (3o × 3o), the latter for precise targeting in BVR and within visual range (WVR) air-to-air combat. The laser rangefinder is useful at up to 3km (1.6nm) against air targets and up to 5km (2.7nm) for ranging against ground targets. The Su-30MKI’s self-protection suite incorporates the DRDO Tarang Mk II RWR, IAI Elta El/M8222 active jammer and Russian APP-50R/A chaff/flare dispensers containing a total of 96 rounds. The aircraft’s British equipment is restricted to the Cobham 754 buddy-refuelling pod carried under the fuselage.

Development progress The Su-30MKI prototype, Su-30I-1, was lost on June 12, 1999, during a display on the first day of that year’s Paris air show. Pilot error during Vyacheslav Averyanov’s

Above: The RuASF and RNA Su-30SMs built before the end of 2015 retain their French avionics, mainly represented by the Thales CTH3022 wide-angle holographic HUD and the Sagem Sigma 95 navigation system. The Russian MOD has since initiated a programme to replace all French systems with their Russian-made equivalents. Alexander Mladenov

spectacular demonstration of the type’s manoeuvrability caused the accident; he and navigator Vladimir Schedrik ejected safely after the aircraft hit the ground and bounced back into the air with flames pouring from its rear fuselage. The second prototype, converted from the Su-30PU prototype, took to the air for the first time in its new guise on March 23, 1998. The initial pre-production example, dubbed Su-30I-2, flew for the first time on August 5, 2000, equipped with the definitive

avionics suite from the outset. It was initially used for inflight airframe stress evaluation and was then involved in mission avionics and weapons test, tasks completed in late 2004. These trials, which confirmed flight and overall combat performance, included several firing campaigns for the RVV-AE and R-27R1 radar-guided BVR missiles against La-17 and Dan target drones, Kh-31A missiles against sea targets and even a Kh-59ME long-range missile, launched against a ground target. The first production Su-30MKI

Above: Algerian Air Force Su-30MKA KF-24/4105 with its retractable refuelling probe extended prior to topping up its tanks from an Il-78. Algeria was not happy when it realised their initial batch of 28 Su-30MKAs between December 2007 and September 2009 had an Israeli HUD. A further 16 were ordered, deliveries of which are believed to also now have been completed but its unclear if it persevered with the Elbit Systems SU967.

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assembled at IAZ for delivery to the IAF flew at Irkutsk in December 2001. The first production batch of ten aircraft was delivered to the IAF in July and August 2002. The IAF reported that it had fielded these aircraft on September 27 that year, reflecting a 28-month delay compared to the original schedule. The fighters had entered service with No. 24 Squadron at Pune, but featured only the interim N011M Mk 1 radar with limited operational capabilities and supporting only R-27R1 and R-73 AAMs. The second batch of 12 aircraft was equipped with the improved N011M Mk 2 radar and capable of firing RVV-AE, Kh-31A and Kh-59ME missiles; it was delivered between October and December 2003, followed by the third batch of ten jets in December 2004. Equipped with the definitive N011M Mk 3 radar and with an Indian computer replacing the Russian S101, these Su-30MKIs were compatible with the Litening III targeting pod. After 2006, the 22 Su-30MKIs from the first and second production batches were modified to Batch


The TVC Flanker has led pilots to rethink the manoeuvring capabilities of the post-stall regimes of flight as well as the handling techniques at low speeds. The weapons firing opportunities at speeds close to zero offer significant advantages in close air combat. Andrey Zinchuk via Alexander Mladenov

3 standard. In 2007, 18 further aircraft were taken on strength. In total, the IAF received 50 Su-30MKIs fully assembled and tested at IAZ, 32 of them ordered within the initial contract, plus 18 more assembled at IAZ and acquired in in exchange for the return to Russia of the 18 stopgap Su-30Ks in 2007. Another contract had called for local production at HAL Nasik of 140 Su-30MKIs and a subsequent contract in 2007 added 40 more. The primary contract for Indian Su-30MKI production inked on December 28, 2000, saw division of the local production process into four stages. At Stage I, HAL Nasik performed detail assembly and functional checks on Su-30MKIs built at IAZ, while Stage II included final assembly from knocked-down kits. The first Stage I aircraft was rolled out in autumn 2004 and made its maiden flight on October 1. Stage III called for a gradual increase in the locally produced components, while Stage IV introduced local production using Indian-manufactured parts and systems (with Russiansupplied materials, blanks and sub-systems), including radars

and engines. The last set of Russian materials, blanks and sub-systems was delivered in 2015. The initial Su-30MKI produced with Indian components under Stage IV was flown for the first time in November 2011. By then HAL Nasik had delivered 99 Su-30MKIs under Stages I to III. A contract covering 42 additional Su-30MKIs was agreed in December 2012. Valued at US$1.6bn, it brought IAF TVC Flanker orders to 272 aircraft, sufficient to equip 14 squadrons. By January 2015, some 150 of the HAL Nasik-aircraft had been handed over to the IAF, although by late-2015 attrition had accounted for six machines. In early 2015, the 200-strong IAF Su-30MKI fleet had an availability rate of 55%, enabling 110 mission-ready aircraft at any time.

New customers

The baseline Su-30MKI became the starting point for three highly customised configurations featuring the same basic airframe, powerplant and FBW system. The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) ordered the Su-30MKM (M for Malaysia). Valued at US$900m, the 18-aircraft contract

was signed in August 2003. French avionics replaced the majority of Israeli and Indian items in the Su-30MKI, creating a more advanced configuration featuring the Thales CTH3022 wide-angle holographic HUD, Thales IFF and compatibility with the Thales Damocles targeting pod and NAVFLIR night-time, low-level navigation pod. The mission computers and electronic warfare system are Russian. The Su-30MKM also introduced an enhanced integrated defensive aids suite comprising Saab Avitronics MAW300 ultraviolet missile warning sensors and LWS350 laser warning sensors in addition to the RWS-50 RWR. Compatibility with the Cobham 754 buddyrefuelling pod is retained. The initial Su-30MKM prototype flew in May 2006, while the first production example flew for the first time at Irkutsk in spring 2007; customer acceptance trials were completed in May, 2007. The aircraft were delivered between June 2007 and August 2009, equipping No. 11 Squadron at Gong Kedak. The next TVC Flanker was the Su-30MKA (A for Algeria), designated Su-30MKI(A) in Russia. Again based on the

Above: In August 2013 the Su-30SM entered service with the Lipetsk-based combat training centre and was used to teach the initial cadre of instructor pilots and develop new combat tactics. Alexander Mladenov Left: The Kazakhstan Air Defense Force became the first Su-30SM export customer, taking delivery of an initial batch of four advanced Flankers in April 2015. Irkut


IAF upgrade plans A MID-LIFE upgrade has been conceived for existing Su-30MKIs following initial negotiations between the Russians and Indians during June 2015, although no contract has yet been signed. It could include integration of a variety of new Indian hardware, including an integrated defensive aids suite with missile approach warning receivers and Tarang Mk III RWR, a new communications suite, data link, wing tip-mounted jammer and a newly added management computer. New cockpit displays, radar altimeter and navigation aids are also envisaged, along with faster computers capable of handling mission-critical and combat processing tasks. Newly integrated weapons would include the export version of the RVV-MD and RVV-SD AAMs, developed as successors to the R-73E and RVV-AE, respectively. Tikhomirov has proposed an N011M Bars upgrade that could be conducted in two stages for a phased increase in performance and functionality. Stage I would retain the PESA unit but incorporate new software and increased processing capability; Stage II would add an active electronically scanned array (AESA), boosting operational performance and reliability. An ongoing programme is enabling compatibility with the BhraMos-A cruise missile, which weighs 5,600lb (2,500kg) and has a range of up to 162nm (300km) when launched from high altitude. The Su-30MKI can carry up to three of the weapons and the IAF intendeds to procure 200 missiles for US$1.1bn. In addition to BhraMos-A, the Su30MKI could be made capable of employing the air-launched version of the Indian Nirbhay subsonic cruise missile, using the launch pylons developed for BhraMos-A. Two Su-30MKIs earmarked for BhraMos-A test launches were sent to Russia in January 2009 for the associated avionics and structural upgrades. In May 2010, a programme to modify 40 Su-30MKIs for BhraMos-A was agreed. It includes a new mission computer, upgraded radar and other avionics changes. A significant delay occurred, however, and the two test aircraft did not begin flight trials in India until after March 2015. 

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AIRCRAFT PROFILE Sukhoi Su-30 Flanker

Above: The Su-30SM was used during the Russian air campaign in Syria with four aircraft from the 120th SAP deployed to Latakia air base in late September 2015. In addition to combat air patrols, they flew several bombing sorties, delivering 250kg free-fall bombs from medium altitude on pre-planned fixed targets. Russian MOD

Su-30MKI, the MKA replaces some Israeli avionics with systems largely sourced from Russia and France, exceptions including the Elbit SU967 HUD. The Frenchsupplied equipment represented about 10% of the aircraft’s price, including the state-of-the-art Thales Damocles targeting pod and Areos reconnaissance pod. Algeria ordered 28 Su-30MKAs in 2006, in a contract worth US$1.5bn, and deliveries were reported between December 2007 and 2009. Two of these aircraft, locally designation Su-30MKA/MKR, are capable of employing the Areos pod. A US$0.9bn follow-on order in 2010 included 16 more Su-30MKAs, with deliveries in 2011 and 2012. A third order was placed in April 2015,

covering another 16 aircraft in the same configuration. Valued at around US$1bn, it should see deliveries in 2016 and 2017.

Russian Su-30SM

In March 2012 the Russian defence ministry ordered the Su-30SM, which is set to become the mainstay of the RuASF and RNA tactical jet fleets. Sixty aircraft were bought for the RuASF under two separate contracts dated March and December 2012, while 60 more are set to be ordered in mid-2016, for delivery through to 2019. The Su-30SM will replace the entire first-generation frontline MiG-29 fleet as well as a proportion of the Su-27s under an ambitious RuASF Frontal Aviation fleet recapitalisation and capability/growth programme.

The defence ministry placed its initial order for the RNA in 2013, with the first three aircraft taken on strength in mid-2014. The Navy will procure 50 to 57 Su-30SMs in the long term, replacing its entire fleet of tired Su-24 and Su-24M tactical bombers, Su-24MR reconnaissance aircraft, and Su-27 and MiG-31 fighter-interceptors. The Su-30SM is a derivative of the Su-30MKI/MKM with Russian avionics replacing Indian and Israeli systems, including the radar processors, communications suite, IFF and ejection seats. A substantial modification has also been made to the weapons compatibility, while it employs a modified OEPrNK30SM optronic locator and targeting system. The

Su-30SM is capable of firing the new RVV-SD BVR missile, with a maximum range at high altitude in a head-on engagement of 110km (60nm), and the highly agile RVV-MD WVR AAM, a vastly improved R-73 derivative. The Bars-R radar equipping the Su-30SM has enhanced performance compared with the radars of the export derivatives. In its initial form, however, the Su-30SM retained most if not all of the French avionics used on the Su-30MKM, including the CTH3022 HUD and Sigma 95 navigation system. The Su-30SM test programme was completed in December 2013. In its second sub-version, introduced in 2015, the Su-30SM was stripped of its French content after sanctions imposed on Russia during the Ukrainian crisis of 2014

Right: One of the late-production Su-30SMs for the 120th SAP between sorties at its home base Domna in south-eastern Siberia – note the air-toair ordinance including R-27 and R-73 missiles. Irkut

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The Iranian Option

An Su-30SM from the 120th SAP deployed to Latakia air base escorts a Tu-160 Blackjack strategic bomber into Syrian airspace. Russian MoD

effectively resulted in an embargo on the sale of defence equipment to the country. The IKSh-1M from the Su-35S replaced the CTH3022 HUD, for example, while the BINSSP2 hybrid inertial/satellite navigation system replaced Sigma 95. The Khibiny-U electronic warfare (EW) system was also added, with an active radar jammer housed in wing tip pods; it was seen for the first time in October 2015 on Su-30SMs operating in Syria. The first two Su-30SMs assembled at IAZ were flown during September 2012 and delivered to the RuASF in December for a brief test and evaluation programme at the Akhtubinsk flight test centre. In 2013, 14 Su-30SMs were taken on strength and the type inducted into service with the Lipetsk-based combat training centre, for initial instructor pilot training and the development of new combat tactics.

The first frontline unit, a squadron of the Domna-based 120th Smeshanniy Aviatsionniy Polk (SAP - composite aviation regiment), re-equipped with the new type in 2013, while a second squadron of the same regiment followed in 2014. Its fleet includes 24 aircraft, four of which deployed to Syria in September 2015. They mainly flew escort missions armed with R-27R/T and R-73 AAMs, but occasionally mounted attack sorties armed with two OFAB250-270 free-fall bombs each. In 2015, the 31st Guards IAP at Millerovo began converting to the Su-30SM with an initial five aircraft and the remainder expected later this year; it will receive 24 aircraft for two squadrons. Also in 2015, four Su-30SMs were delivered to the 23rd Guards IAP at Dzemgi in Russia’s Far East. The unit is equipped with the single-seat TVC Su-35S and uses the two-seat

Su-30SM for pilot conversion and continuation training, as well as proficiency check rides. The first RNA Su-30SM unit, the 43rd Otdelniy Morskoi Shturmovoi Aviatsionniy Polk (OMShAP independent attack naval aviation regiment) based at Saki on the Crimean Peninsula, took three jets in 2014 and five more in 2015, with another four expected this year to complete its full strength of 12 aircraft. They are primarily for use in the maritime attack role. In May 2015, the Kazakhstan Air and Air Defence Force became the first international Su-30SM operator, taking an initial batch of four aircraft; a follow-on order for six or seven more was placed in December. In the long-term Kazakhstan intends to purchase 24. Belarus is the next ex-Soviet state expected to purchase the Su-30SM, but not until after 2020 due afm to ongoing funding issues.

Above: The TVC family of Su-30s use the N011M Bars multi-role radar with the 1,000mm passive electronically-scanned array antenna, it boasts expanded coverage thanks to the extra mechanical steering in azimuth and elevation. Irkut


THE IRANIAN defence ministry first revealed its intension to procure the Sukhoi Su-30 Flanker in December 2014 and negotiations with Russia began the following month. On August 25, 2015, an Iranian delegation visited the MAKS air show for the first time. The group, comprising defence and government representatives, including Vice President Sorena Sattari, and Dr Manuchehr Manteghi (CEO of Iran Aviation Industries Organization), met Russia’s President Putin to discuss the plan to order Su-30SMs and establish a licensed manufacturing capability in Iran. The Russians proposed the Su-30SME specifically for export to Iran. It includes all the same systems found on the Su-30SM, but has less capable self-defence equipment. The Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) has an urgent need for an initial 48 aircraft for delivery from 2018 so it can withdraw the 49 F-4D/E Phantom IIs remaining in service. There is an option for the Iranian Aircraft Manufacturing Industries (IAMI) to assemble another 112 examples under licence by 2030. The Iranian Minister of Defence Brigadier General Hossein Dehghan led a delegation to Moscow for official negotiations with Putin and the Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu on February 16, 2016. Talks continued when the Russian minister visited Tehran the following week. Although the mission was primarily to work through delivery issues with a S-300PMU-2 surface-to-air missile system, Iranian officials also emphasised the requirement for licensed Su30SME production. The ideal would be for IAMI to build 70% of every Su-30SME produced in-country, avoiding the issues with technical and maintenance support that the IRIAF suffered with its MiG-29 and Su-24 fleets in the 1990s and 2000s. United Nations arms sanctions against Iran are scheduled to be lifted in 2021. However, both parties have announced that the first Su-30 contract will be signed this summer. Should the US foil such plans, however, the IRIAF has identified a secondary option. Negotiations for a J-10S purchase from China began in 2015 and the type’s acquisition remains a possibility. Babak Taghvaee 

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Su-30 the Multi Role Russian Fighter

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