New Su‑30SM2 fighters bolster Russian air force amid conflict
The Russian United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) has announced that new Su-30SM2 fighters have been delivered to the Russian Armed Forces. The aircraft have undergone all necessary ground and air tests and are combat-ready. However, the Russians have not disclosed the number of aircraft included in the latest delivery.
Ukrainian experts recently pointed out that the Russians are producing mainly Su-35 and Su-34 aircraft. It's said that a maximum of 8-10 such machines are produced per year. The remaining units, including Su-30s and MiG-29s, are being repaired and upgraded. However, this does not mean their production has been completely halted, as evidenced by the recently announced delivery of Su-30SM2s.
Delivery of new aircraft for Russia
The Russian corporation has not disclosed the number of fighters in the latest delivery. However, the communiqué published on Telegram shows at least two new aircraft on the airport tarmac. The lack of specific data is due to the fact that military orders in the Russian Federation are classified. However, it is estimated that 20-30 Su-30SM2s have been delivered to the aggressor's army since the start of the war in Ukraine in 2022.
"The purchase of these advanced fighters underscores Russia's commitment to strengthening its air force and maintaining a strong defensive posture," reads the Bulgarian Military portal. The delivery of these aircraft coincides with the appearance of F-16s in Ukraine, which may indicate that the Russian Federation intends to counter the threat from American aircraft with these units.
The company responsible for the production and modernization of the Su-30SM2 clarifies that the new units have an "increased range of detection and identification of air targets." This is likely due to the presence of an improved on-board equipment set. The modernization has also included "new, highly precise weapons designed to attack air, land, and sea targets over distances of hundreds of kilometres," the company reports in a communiqué.
New variant of popular fighters
It should be noted that the version designated as Su-30SM2 is currently the latest variant of these multi-role fighters, whose prototype, the Su-30 (NATO designation Flanker-C), dates back to the early 1990s. These aircraft are powered by two AL-41F-1C engines, which propel the design to over 2,090 km/h speeds. The maximum altitude that the Su-30SM2 can reach is 18 km, and its range extends to 3,050 km.
The new variant delivered to the Russian Federation in recent days features upgraded avionics, including an improved on-board radar station with an active phased array. There is also a new radio navigation and communication system, which is also compatible with modern Su-57S fighters.
