Thanks for the posts Sukhoi-30mki.
i doubt the Russians really NEED this plane to fight ISIS, defend Syria, etc.
but maybe as long as they’re there...maybe they figure they may as well give some of their weapons systems some exercise
sort of like owning a rottweiler ... its a good idea to take him out for a walk once in awhile
Short legs and poor acquisition capability without ground control sounds like it has been addressed.