Russian Sukhoi fighters sell well

Mikhail Pogosyan, General Director of Sukhoi Holding, is optimistic about the prospects of further sales before the end of the decade of the Su-27 family, by far the best combat aircraft produced in Russia. Originally launched as a long-range fighter with outstanding agility, since then, like its western counterpart, the F-15 Eagle, the Flanker has blossomed into an extra-class multi-role fighter aircraft.

F-15C pilots of the US Air Force's 19th Fighter Squadron, stationed in Elmendorf, had the opportunity to take a closer look at the capabilities of the Su-30K during a visit to India in February. During the air battles carried out as part of exercise “Cope India 2004” they apparently lost 90 percent of the engagements. Precise details of the scenarios used for training purposes are not known, but the factors stated to have been critical to the superiority of the Flanker are its agility combined with the long-range R-27ER/ET (NATO-Code: AA-10) air-to-air guided missile and the short-range AA-11 “Archer” missile, with its “round the corner” launch capability. Apparently the Eagle and Flanker mostly detected each other at the same distance.

Naturally these results come at just the right time for the US Air Force, as it calls for more money for the F/A-22 Raptor programme, and should therefore be treated with caution. Nevertheless they are yet another proof of the potential of the Flanker when flown by well-trained pilots and now that the shortcomings in the electronics have been eliminated through the installation of western systems or new Russian developments.

There has never been any doubt about the flying performance of the Su-27/Su-30, even if its spectacular displays at the Berlin, Paris and Farnborough air shows are already receding into the past. Thus, the Su-27 has, somewhat unfairly, receded from the spotlight here in Germany, even though Sukhoi has of late been just as active as ever in development and production.

When it comes to Sukhoi's efforts in the export area, the Russian arms agency, Rosoberonexport, is concentrating on the Asian market. After China, India is the biggest export customer for the Su-27 and Su-30. Its air force took delivery of a first batch of 18 two-seater Su-30K's back in 1997/98. First deliveries of the Su-30MKI, produced in Irkut and currently the most advanced variant of the Flanker, then followed in August 2002.

This aircraft has distinctive small canards in front of the main wings and boasts a new, digital fly-by-wire flight control system. Moreover, it was the first fighter in the world equipped with thrust vector nozzles to enter service. The nozzles on the Saturn (Lyulka) AL-31FP engine can be moved 32 degrees in the horizontal plane and 15 degrees in the vertical plane. The radar is the Phasotron N011M Bars, which uses passive electronic beam steering and, in the Mk3 version, is supported by Indian computers.

Otherwise, the equipment is international. Thales (formerly Sextant Avionique) is supplying the VEH3000 head-up display and the liquid-crystal cockpit displays, while Sagem is contributing the Totem navigation platform with laser gyro and GPS integration. Parts of the electronic warfare (EW) suite come from Israel.

Integration of these systems was not simple and resulted in significant programme slippage. Finally, on 26 November 2000 the first Su-30MKI (fuselage number 05) took off on its maiden flight in Irkut. After flight testing with four prototypes, deliveries then commenced some 18 months later.

A ceremony to mark the entry into service of the first ten, “Phase I” standard Su-30MKI's took place at Lohegaon airbase, near Pune on 27 September 2002. Twelve further, “Phase II” aircraft followed in the autumn of 2003, and the remaining ten are to be delivered in the course of this year. The Su-30MKI's are to be flown by No. 20 Squadron (“Lightnings”) and No. 30 Squadron (“Rhinos”).

It is still planned to upgrade the 18 Su-30K's, which are in-service with No. 24 Squadron (“Hunting Hawks”) in Baksi-ka-Talab, to MKI standard. On top of this, on 28 December 2000 India signed a contract for the production under licence of up to 140 Su-30MKIs (although recently the talk is of only 120), plus engine and radar. Hindustan Aeronautics' Nasik factory received the first two parts kits for assembly in June. The Indian share of production is to gradually be increased. A production rate of ten Flankers per year is planned.

China, too, is building the Flanker under licence, at its aircraft factory in Shenyang. Under the designation of J-11 (Jian-11), up to 20 aircraft per year have been rolling out of the hangar since 1999, and to date between 70 and 80 planes have been delivered. About 60 to 70 percent of its components now come from domestic production. There are even plans to build a “WS-10A” derivative of the AL-31F engine under licence.

Whereas the Su-27SK is a single-seat fighter with limited air-to-ground capability, the Chinese two-seat, multi-role Su-30MKK boasts an extensive weapons arsenal that includes the air-to-surface Kh-59M and Kh-29T missiles, the anti-radar Kh-31P guided missile and laser-guided bombs such as the KAB-500/KAB-1500.

The airframe of the Su-30MKK, which is built in Komsomolsk-on-Amur, has been reinforced for a maximum take-off weight of 38,800kg. Its identifying features are the higher vertical stabiliser and the twin-wheeled nose gear. The cockpit is fitted with large colour displays, while the N001VE radar is supported by new computers and new software, which also permit use of the air-to-air R-77 (RVV-AE) guided missile.

China originally ordered 76 Su-30MKK's in two separate contracts, and these had all been delivered by 2003. On top of these are 24 Su-24MK2's for the Chinese navy. An initial batch of six aircraft was handed over in February, and apparently the other planes had all been delivered by August. The new version has the N001VEP as its radar, now enhanced to incorporate new operating modes for naval combat. It can also generate ground maps and is capable of guiding two air-to-air missiles at once onto different targets. The MK2's armaments have been supplemented to include the Kh-31A anti-ship guided missile.

Apparently China is currently negotiating for a further 24 Su-30MK2's plus an improved MK3 variant that would be fitted with an advanced fire control system and a new radar (either Zhuk MS or Bars). Apparently a prototype has been flying since the spring of 2004.

Another customer for the Su-30MK2 is Vietnam, which on 1 December 2003 placed an order worth $100 million for four aircraft plus a further eight options. Some months earlier, on 5 August 2003, Sukhoi had sold 18 Su-30MKM's to Malaysia in a contract worth around $900 million, which was signed in the presence of President Putin and Prime Minister Mahathir bin Mohamad. The Su-30MKM is a derivative of the Su-30MKI. Deliveries are scheduled to commence in 2006/2007.

Another prospect in south-east Asia is Indonesia. Although a contract for eight aircraft was cancelled on 9 January 1998, another order was placed in April 2003, this time for two Su-27SK's and two twin-seat SU 30MK's. Following the training of 12 pilots from the Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Udara (the Indonesian national defence air force), all four aircraft were transported by An-124 to the Iswahyudi airbase on Java, where the 11th Squadron is stationed, on 27 August. Additional Flanker orders are expected, as the aim is to equip at least two squadrons.

Another prospective customer is Thailand. A government delegation visited Moscow in September to sound out the possibility of purchasing six Su-30's in exchange for 250,000 tonnes of chicken meat.

Meanwhile the Russian Air Force is taking delivery of “new” Su-27's – or rather, existing aircraft that have been upgraded to Su-27SM standard by the KnAAPO factory. The first five aircraft officially entered into service on 26 December 2003 at the combat training centre in Lipezk. Another seven are to be delivered before the end of the year.

The Su-27SM, which was given preference over the Su-30KN proposal from Irkut, had its maiden flight on 27 December 2002 in Komsomolsk-on-Amur, with test pilot Yevgeny Frolov at the controls. This builds on the systems in the Chinese Su-30MKK and, for example, has a glass cockpit. The N001M radar is supposed to be capable of detecting even hovering helicopters and has a range of 135km to 150km. It can identify hostile targets by their signatures. Armaments include the R-77 (RVV-AE) plus an extensive array of air-to-ground guided missiles.

As well as the Su-27SM, KnAAPO is continuing to work on the Su-27KUB, a naval version with a modified nose in which the crew sit next to each other. A prototype has been flying since 29 April 1999. In 2003, it was fitted with an advanced Zhuk MSF radar for further trials, enabling it to also serve as the basis for a land-based fighter-bomber version.

However, this latter role is already performed by the Su-27IB (Su-32), built in Novosibirsk, in which the crew also sit next to each other. Development of this significantly modified variant dates back to the Soviet era. A first prototype flew on 13 April 1990, but progress since then has been very slow. However, the eighth aircraft (T10V-8) flew on 20 December 2003, now equipped with more modern systems. The older prototypes, T10V-4 to T10V-7, are to be upgraded accordingly, so that deliveries to the Russian Air Force can probably commence in 2005.

Sukhoi is apparently examining the Su-35BM as the next development step, although this variant has little in common with the previous Su-35 and its airframe is closer to the Su-27 (without canards). The most visible signs of progress are in the systems area, with glass cockpit displays, an Irbis radar and the Knibny EW system The aircraft is to be powered by the Saturn AL-41F1, which produces just under 140kN of thrust. Its weapon systems, which were shown on an Su-35BM model at the Dubai Air Show in December 2003, include the Onyx/Yakhont 3M55A anti-ship missile and the Ks-172, an air-to-air guided missile with an extremely long-range.

Thus, the Flanker family has by no means exhausted every possible avenue of development. It could still earn further valuable currency – money that would come in handy to fund development of the next fighter generation, on which Sukhoi is currently working.

I have had running discussions (arguments)
w/ a Russian in my lab. He conceded that
Russia does as the US does in terms of selling
slightly (or greatly) watered down versions
of the top of the line weapons systems to
'allies' or other customers.

Can anybody confirm the veracity of the source
or even the actual occurrence of the exercise
w/ India?

MV

MV

Here is one thread on it. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1237790/posts

There have been several and a lot of debate about whether the results have been spun to support the AF's case for buying the F-22.

Hope this helps.

Only one operational variant,the SU-30MKI of the Indian airforce has thrust vectoring now & you don't have to worry bout them taking on the US for the foreseeable future.Besides the Su-30/35 doesn't have supercruise(ability to travel supersonic without the afterburner) unlike the F/A-22,so that's a big disadvantage.The F/A-22 is far more stealthier & has a better radar.& should we get started on the AWACS,Electronic warfare systems etc?

The F-22 should be far superior to the SU, but the SU is competitive with anything else out there, and the Russians will make deals to move them off the lot.

Can anybody confirm the veracity of the source or even the actual occurrence of the exercise w/ India?

The exercises were widely reported at the time. There were suggestions that the rules of the exercise favored the Indians.

Actually the Russians do sell 'toned down' systems to countries like China & Iran-folks it can't trust fully.But for India,the criteria is different as India has always been close to the Russians & is also a counterweight to China.India has always got access to the best of Russian military hardware & a perfect example is the SU-30s in it's airforce which also have French & Israeli systems added to it.Infact the Russians have sold India systems like the 'Klub' anti-ship/land attack cruise missile even before it entered Russian service(due to lack of funds).The Russians cannot afford to be choosy when it comes to selling what they want,unlike the Americans due to their dire economic situation.Moreover ,foreign armsales,primarily to China & India are infact one of the main sources of subsidising new purchases for the Russian military.

He conceded that Russia does as the US does in terms of selling slightly (or greatly) watered down versions of the top of the line weapons systems to 'allies' or other customers.

The Indian planes may actually be superior to the Russian version, as the Indians upgrade weapon systems with French, Israeli, and indigenous technology.

Well they had to favour the Indians as that would be the only way to realistically simulate what US forces would face if they are going to engage in a war over the Taiwan straits.China also uses the Su-27/30(though inferior to Indian variants) & the fact that they also are inducting force multipliers like the A-50 AWACS means that we cannot expect onesided conflicts like in the Gulf-war of 91(though the US is ofcourse miles ahead of the PLAAF).

Aviation Week had a writeup on the Indian wargame exercise last week. It pitted 6 USAF F-15Cs against about 18 Indian planes. In addition the USAF planes did not have the new AESA radars now entering service so they weren't our top of the line planes. Also, the rules of engagement did not allow the US planes to fire long range missiles farther than 20 miles. This negated many advantages the US would have had.

That being said the US pilots gave a lot of credit to the Indian pilots and said they used good tactics.

Actually the SU-27 has served in combat.I was reading up on the Ethiopia-Eritria conflict of 1999-2000 the other day & realised it was a pretty major war(Which most of us folks infact didn't even hear about) with stuff like the SU-27,Mig-29 etc.The Ethiopian airforce had a few SU-27s ,freshly delivered from the Russians & some were flown by Russian pilots(some rumours say that a lot of Ethiopian stuff was upgraded by Israel).The SU-27s shoot down infact 3-4 Eritrian Mig-29s & a few helicopters(if im not mistaken).The biggest surprise of the lot is that this conflict reportedly produced something that the USAF or the Israeli AF hasn't done-the first Female ACE!!An Ethiopian airforce female pilot ,flying an SU-27 shot down a Mig-29 ,which was ironically flown by her ex instructor(Before Eritria broke away).

& I believe I have told you about the case of Indian Mig-29s scaring the living daylights out of 2 Pakistani F-16s during the Kargil war of 1999.

Thanks for the additonal info. I thought I remembered the numerical disparity, but I was hazy on the details. And, if (when) we face off against China, I would expect them to have the advantage of numbers.

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