New Su‑30SM2 fighters bolster Russian air force amidst Ukraine war

The Russian United Aviation 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 now ready for combat in their designated units. However, the Russians have not disclosed how many aircraft are included in the latest delivery.

Ukrainian experts recently pointed out that the Russians are producing mainly Su-35 and Su-34 aircraft. A maximum of 8-10 such machines are said to be made 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.

The Russian corporation does not disclose how many fighters are included 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 caused by the classification of military orders in the Russian Federation. 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 (2022).

"The acquisition of these advanced fighter jets underscores Russia’s commitment to strengthening its air power and maintaining a robust defence 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 are "designed to perform a wide range of missions, including air superiority, ground attack, and maritime strike operations." This is likely due to the presence of an improved onboard equipment set. The modernization has also included new high-precision weapons capable of targeting air, ground, and sea threats over several hundred kilometers," the company reports in a communiqué.

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 propelled by two AL-41F-1C engines, which propel the design to speeds of over 1,300 mph. The maximum altitude that the Su-30SM2 can reach is 11 miles, and its range extends to 1,900 miles.

The new variant, delivered to the Russian Federation recently, features upgraded avionics, including an improved onboard radar station with an active phased array. There is also a new radio navigation and communication system compatible with modern Su-57S fighters.