New su‑30sm2 fighters bolster Russian Air Force amid looming threats

The Russian United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) announced that new Su-30SM2 fighters have been delivered to the Russian Federation army. The aircraft have undergone all necessary ground and air tests and are now ready for combat in their designated units. However, the Russians are not disclosing how many aircraft are included in the latest delivery.

Ukrainian experts have recently noted that the Russians mainly produce Su-35 and Su-34 aircraft. They mention a maximum of 8-10 aircraft of this type produced per year. Other units, including Su-30 and MiG-29s, are being repaired and modernized. However, this does not mean their production has been completely halted, as evidenced by the recently announced delivery of Su-30SM2.

The Russian corporation does not disclose how many fighters the latest delivery includes. However, the communiqué published on Telegram shows at least two new aircraft on the airport tarmac. The lack of specific data results from the fact that military orders in the Russian Federation are classified. However, according to estimates, since the beginning of the war in Ukraine (2022), 20-30 Su-30SM2 units have been delivered to the aggressor's army.

"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 arrival of F-16s in Ukraine, which may indicate that the Russian Federation intends to use these units to respond to the threat posed by American aircraft.

The conglomerate responsible for the production and modernization of the Su-30SM2 explains that in the new units, "the range of detection and identification of air targets has increased." This is due to the presence of an improved onboard equipment set. The modernization also includes "new, highly precise weapons intended to strike air, land, and naval targets at distances of hundreds of miles" – the conglomerate states in a communiqué.

Recall that the version designated as Su-30SM2 is currently the latest variant of these multi-role fighters, whose prototype, the Su-30 (under NATO nomenclature Flanker-C), dates back to the early 1990s. These machines are powered by two AL-41F-1C engines, which propel the structure to speeds over 1,300 mph. The maximum altitude at which the Su-30SM2 can operate is 57,000 feet, and its range reaches 1,860 miles.

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