Upgraded Su-30SM2 Fighters Join Russian Aerospace Forces.

The Russian Ministry of Defense has received new upgraded Su-30SM2 fighter jets, according to an announcement on the official website of the Russian United Aircraft Corporation (UAC).
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The Sukhoi Su-30SM2 is an advanced version of the Su-30 fighter, upgraded to integrate technologies from the Su-35. (Picture source: Tass)

These aircraft were produced at the Irkutsk Aviation Plant, with UAC specifying that the plant consistently meets the deadlines for state defense orders. Before being deployed, the fighters underwent ground and flight tests.

The Sukhoi Su-30SM2 is an advanced version of the Su-30 fighter, upgraded to integrate technologies from the Su-35. Its production and introduction into the Russian military began recently, with the first deliveries occurring in 2022. The Russian military plans to upgrade about 110 existing Su-30SM jets to the SM2 standard by 2027.

The Su-30SM2 is notable for its enhanced detection range and strengthened armament, thanks to the integration of the Irbis-E radar and more powerful AL-41F1S engines. This radar significantly increases the aircraft's detection range for both aerial and maritime targets. The AL-41F1S engines, also used in the Su-35, offer increased thrust and a longer lifespan, thereby improving the aircraft's overall performance.

The Su-30SM2 can carry a wide range of high-precision weapons for both air-to-air and air-to-surface missions, including Kh-59MK2 missiles and KAB-250 glide bombs, thus adapting the aircraft for more diversified combat roles. This modernization reflects Russia's ongoing efforts to strengthen its aerial combat capabilities in response to technological advancements and modern operational demands.

Additionally, the Su-30SM2 has been equipped with new precision weapons capable of striking aerial, ground, and naval targets at distances of several hundred kilometers, as reported by UAC.

Originally developed in the 1980s in the Soviet Union, the Su-30 was primarily designed for air combat. In post-Soviet Russia, the aircraft has undergone a series of upgrades, with the latest variant being the Su-30SM2, which made its first flight in February 2021.

According to some reports, by 2027, approximately 130 Su-30SM fighters are expected to be upgraded to the Su-30SM2 standard.