T
HE KOMSOMOLSK PLANT
developed and produced the
export-standard two-seat
Su-30MK2 multi-role ‘Flanker’,
which was initially created for
China. In August 2009, after
a decade of production for export, the
Russian Ministry of Defence placed an
order for four Su-30M2s, which closely
resembled the Su-30MK2 but with a few
modi cations in order to meet domestic
Russian requirements.
These modi cations mainly relate
to new software modes in the IFF and
datalink. The rst four VKS Su-30M2s
were delivered in 2010-2011. On
December 29, 2012, a further order for
16 more aircraft was placed; these were
delivered between 2013 and 2016.
In the spring of 2016, the Komsomolsk-
on-Amur facility ended productionof the Su-30 and the assembly line
switched entirely to the Su-35S and
the Su-57. Apart from the 20 aircraft for
Russia, from 2000-16 the plant delivered
177 Su-30s in various versions for export
to China (100), Indonesia (11), Vietnam
(36), Venezuela (24) and Uganda (six).Russian service
Russian Su-30s are not formed into
dedicated squadrons or regiments, but
are instead assigned to units equipped
with other ghter types, with a few
examples of each. It means they primarily
serve as combat trainers for pilots of the
upgraded Su-27SM and new Su-35S.
The Su-30 made in Komsomolsk
was based on the standard Su-27UB
airframe. It has a conventional re
control system from the Su-27 with only
a few minor upgrades.Russia acquired
20 multi-role
Su-30M2s, which
remain in service
as combat
trainers.
Piotr ButowskiRussia ordered a handful of multi-role Su-30M2s, based on an
export confi guration developed initially for China.REPORT Piotr Butowski
CHINESE
EXPORT
Su-30MK
The early Su-30MKK built for China
featured the N001VE radar, a standard
N001 with a new computer and
software, thus enabling use of RVV-AE
air-to-air missiles. Additionally, the
ghter has a separate SUV-P1I re
control sub-system for the use of
laser- and TV-guided air-to-ground
munitions. The pilots have an ILS-31
HUD in the front cockpit and two 6
x 8in displays in each cockpit. The
follow-on Su-30MK2 version originally
designed for Chinese naval aviation
has the N001VEP radar that includes
a separate computing channel to
enable terrain-mapping with synthetic
aperture, detection of surface targets
and cueing for the Kh-31A anti-ship
missile. The Komsomolsk Su-30MKs
have entirely Russian equipment,
thanks to which they are not subjected
to export limitations and could be sold
to countries subjected to sanctions.THE
CONNECTION
http://www.combataircraft.net // April 2018 89
FORCE REPORT // RUSSIAN FIGHTERS
89 Russian Fighter pt2 Su-30M C.indd 89 15/02/2018 12:49