Group : Air Defense Fighters
Status : Active
Also Known As : F-11 (Chinese version), Flanker-B, J-11A, Su-27SK, Su-27SKM, Su-27SM (Variant provided to the Russian Air Force as upgrade to existing Su-27 aircraft), Su-27SM3 (2011 upgrade), T-10 (developmental aircraft designation)
Origin : Russia
Contractor : Sukhoi
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : July 5, 1985
First Flight : May 20, 1977
Total Production : 503

The Su-27 entered service with the Soviet Air Force in 1984. About 400-500 Su-27s and Su-27UBs were delivered to the Soviet Air Force through early 1990s. China (80) and Vietnam (24) are the sole export customers for this aircraft. The Su-27SK fighters sold to China by Russia are known as the J-11 within the People's Liberation Army. China and Russia agreed up to 200 Su-27 and two-seat Su-27UBs to be produced in China.

The Su-27SM and Su-27SKM are upgraded variants of the Su-27 Flanker air superiority fighter aircraft. Su-27SKM is being offered to the export market while the Su-27SM are being produced for the Russian Air Force under a modernization program intended to extend the service life of existing Su-27s. In addition to air superiority, Su-27SKM/SM feature air-to-ground capability using guided and unguided armament operating within a combat group or alone at all-weather conditions. The Su-27SM3 is another upgraded variant introduced to the Russian Air Force in late 2011.

Group : Air Defense Fighters
Status : Active
Also Known As : Flanker-C (NATO codename), Su-27SM2 (upgraded variant), Su-27UBK
Origin : Russia
Contractor : Sukhoi
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : July 5, 1985
First Flight : June 1982
Total Production : ?

The two-seat Su-27UB, Flanker-C NATO designation, is a derivative of the Su-27 fighter designed for training purposes. It features the same combat capabilities than the single-seat Su-27 fighter with only slightly different performance. It has been the basis for improved models with enhanced air-to-ground capabilities of the Su-27 aircraft. The Su-27UB entered service with the Soviet Air Force in 1985. It has been sold to Vietnam and China along with single-seat Su-27 fighter aircraft for training purposes.

Group : Air Defense Fighters
Status : Active
Also Known As : Su-27P, Su-30K (early version), Su-30KN (upgraded Su-30K)
Origin : Russia
Contractors : Sukhoi, UAC
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : 1992
First Flight : 1986
Total Production : 18
Unitary Cost : USD $62 million

The Su-30, also known as the Su-27P, is a derivative of the Su-27UB twin-seat trainer designed to provide long endurance, through in-flight refueling, improved air defense capability. Su-30s can share airborne targets information in the same way that groups of Mig-31 interceptors do. Up to ten targets can be shared by a group of five Su-30 fighters to engage targets in a cooperative way. The latest air-to-air weapons and missiles developed by Russia can be employed by the Su-30 fighter. The Su-30 fighter aircraft first flew in 1986 and achieved initial operational capability with the Russian Air Force in 1992. The Indian Air Force took delivery of 18 Su-30K aircraft between 1997 and 1999. These aircraft were upgraded to the Su-30KN standard and sold back to Angola.

Group : Multi-Role Fighters
Status : Active
Also Known As : Flanker-D, Sea Flanker, Su-27K
Origin : Russia
Contractor : Sukhoi
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : 1994
First Flight : August 17, 1987
Total Production : 24

The Su-27K, Flanker-D or Sea Flanker NATO designations, is a derivative of the proved Su-27 fighter designed to perform air-to-air and air-to-surface missions operating from an aircraft carrier. It features an arresting hook and strengthened landing gear for carrier-based operations, canard foreplanes for improved aerodynamic performance, folding outer wings and empennage, engagement capability of surface and airborne threats through radar and IR sensor, in-flight refueling capability to achieve mission extended range, 12 external hard points, and a new electronic countermeasures system. The Su-27K, also known as the Su-33, entered service with the Russian Navy in 1994 aboard the Admiral Kuznetzov aircraft carrier. It can employ the latest air-to-air missiles as well as precision-guided air-to-surface weapons. 20-30 Su-33s have been deployed on the Zuznetsov aircraft carrier. The J-15/F-15 is a Chinese-built variant of the Su-33 shipborne aircraft.

Group : Multi-Role Fighters
Status : Active
Origin : Russia
Contractors : Sukhoi, UAC
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : 2001
Total Production : 40
Unitary Cost : USD $62 million

The Su-30MK, a further improvement over the twin-seat Su-30 aircraft, can perform air-to-surface missions employing precision-guided weapons while retaining the advanced air-to-air features introduced in the early Su-30s. The Su-30MK model is intended as the standard configuration for Su-30 aircraft. The Su-30MK advanced multi-role fighter was designed for the export market achieving a big success. About 50 Su-30Ks (18) and Su-30MKs (32) were purchased by India with the final aircraft delivered in December 2004. The Su-30MK aircraft were lately converted into Su-30MKI. India also achieved an agreement on 140 Su-30MKIs to be produced locally by the HAL Corporation. In addition, Indonesia ordered two Su-30MKs.

Group : Multi-Role Fighters
Status : Active
Also Known As : J-11B (China), J-11BS (Chinese version of Su-30MK)
Origin : China, Russia
Contractors : Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, Sukhoi, UAC
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : 2004
Total Production : 322
Unitary Cost : USD $62 million

The Su-30MKK is a version of the Su-30MK multirole fighter. China purchased more than 72 Su-30MKKs, J-11 designation, which were delivered in the first half of the 2000s. A licensed production has also been agreed between Moscow and Beijing authorities for some 250 Su-30MKKs to be assembled by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation. The J-11B is a version produced locally in China. The Su-30MKK is close to the Su-30MK2 standard.

Group : Multi-Role Fighters
Status : Active
Also Known As : Flanker-H, Su-30MKI(A) (Algerian Air Force), Su-30MKM (Malaysia), Su-30SM (Russian Air Force version)
Origin : Russia
Contractors : Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, IRKUT Corporation, Sukhoi
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : 2005
First Flight : July 1, 1997
Total Production : 472
Unitary Cost : RUB 1.2 billion

The Su-30, also known as the Su-27P, is a derivative of the Su-27UB twin-seat trainer designed to provide long endurance, through in-flight refueling, improved air defense capability. Su-30s can share airborne targets information in the same way that groups of Mig-31 interceptors do. Up to ten targets can be shared by a group of five Su-30 fighters to engage targets in a cooperative way. The latest air-to-air weapons can be employed by the Su-30 fighter. The Su-30MK, a further improvement over the Su-30, can perform air-to-surface missions employing precision-guided weapons while retaining the advanced air-to-air features introduced in the early Su-30s. The MK model is intended as the standard configuration for Su-30 aircraft.

The Su-30 fighter achieved initial operational capability with the Russian Air Force in 1992. The Su-30MK advanced multi-role fighter is available for export. About 40 Su-30MK, under the Su-30MKI designation, have been sold to India with 140 Su-30MKIs to be produced in India by the HAL Corporation under a license manufacturing agreement between 2003 and 2017. The initial batch (50) of Russian-built Su-30MKs ordered by India between 1996 and 1998 was upgraded to the impressive Su-30MKI configuration. A second batch of 40 Su-30MKIs was ordered in 2007. In 2003 Malaysia ordered 18 Su-30MKMs, based on the Su-30MKI design, equipped with western avionics to be delivered by 2008. Algeria ordered 16 Su-30MKI(A) jets in April 2010.

The Su-30MKI features canard foreplanes and AL-31FP thrust vectoring control engines achieving the super-maneuverability concept. Super-maneuverability means that the airplane can aim at any direction within seconds to fire an air-to-air missile without changing its bearing. Super-maneuverability can be used in many situations during a mission. The aircraft features a Russian radar and optic locator, French navigation and heads-up display systems, Israeli EW and weapon-guidance systems, and Indian computers. India's Su-30MKI multi-role fighter-bomber is one of the best 4-5 generation aircraft currently available. Its range can be extended from 3,000 kilometers to 5,200 kilometers with only one air refueling. The extended range capability along with its outstanding payload capacity were envisaged as the most important asset for India allowing to perform deep strike attacks in Pakistan and China.

Group : Multi-Role Fighters
Status : Active
Also Known As : Flanker-G?, Su-30M2 (Russian Air Force MK2 combat trainer), Su-30MK2V (version sold to Venezuela), Su-30MKA (Algeria)
Origin : Russia
Contractors : Sukhoi, UAC
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : 2006
Total Production : 143
Unitary Cost : USD $62 million

The Su-30MK2 multi-role fighter was introduced in late 2006 with some improvements over the Su-30MK twin-seat aircraft such as super-maneuverability using AL-31FP thrust vectoring control (TVC) engines. So far the Su-30MK2 is the biggest export success of the entire Su-27 aircraft family. In 2006 Venezuela ordered 24 Su-30MK2, Su-30MK2V designation, plus six options from Russia in response to US denial to ship spare parts for the country's Air Force F-16 fleet. According to Venezuela's president, Hugo Chavez, these aircraft were meant to deter the United States from invading their country. Algeria ordered 28 Su-30MK2, Su-30MKA designation, which were delivered between 2008 and 2009. Vietnam ordered 32 Su-30MK2s in 2010-2011 (8), 2011-2012 (12) and 2014-2015 (12). Uganda ordered six Su-30MK2 in 2010. Russia ordered 4 Su-30MK2 in 2009 and 20 Su-30M2 improved aircraft in 2014. Indonesia took delivery of 15 Su-30MK2s between 2008 and 2011. China also ordered the Su-30Mk2 but they are listed under the Su-30MKK designation.

Group : Multi-Role Fighters
Status : Cancelled
Also Known As : Flanker-F, Super Flanker
Origin : Russia
Contractors : KnAAPO, Sukhoi
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : 2011
First Flight : August 7, 2000
Total Production : 1
Unitary Cost : RUB 1.5 billion

The Su-35UB is a two-seat combat trainer based on the Su-27M aircraft which was built by KnAAPO and first flew in August 2000. Only one Su-35UB prototype has been built so far. The existing Su-35UB has been used to conduct testing for new avionics such as the Zhuk-MSE radar.

Group : Multi-Role Fighters
Status : Active
Also Known As : Flanker-E, Su-27M, Su-35 (Russian Air Force), Su-35BM (test aircraft), Super Flanker
Origin : Russia
Contractors : KnAAPO, Sukhoi
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : December 28, 2012
First Flight : February 19, 2008
Total Production : 350
Unitary Cost : RUB 1.3 billion

The Su-35, originally known as the Su-27M, is an improved derivative of the successful single-seat Su-27 Flanker designed as a 4+ generation multi-role fighter. Building upon Su-27 advanced aerodynamic design, the new aircraft features super-maneuverability, more powerful NPO Saturn 117S Thrust Vectoring Control (TVC) engines, new avionics, extended service life, and advanced air-to-air and air-to-surface precision strike capabilities. TVC engines provide no angle of attack limitation and enhanced maneuverability which outperforms all known fourth and fifth generation fighter aircraft. Under the Su-27M/Su-35 designation Sukhoi and KnAAPO have built 17 aircraft, 16 single-seat (five Su-27-based prototypes, two static-test airframes, six pre-production and three production aircraft) and one two-seat airframes.

From its inception in the early 1990s, the Su-27M/Su-35 program has suffered the Russian Federation/Russian Air Force turmoil circumstances which delayed its development and changed the program's scope. The program scope was last updated in the mid-2000s with Sukhoi and KnAAPO projecting the first production Su-35 aircraft on active duty by 2009. One of the program's scope is to get a hardened airframe. The final Su-35 may incorporate more titanium alloys thus extending the aircraft's service life to 6,000 flight hours or 30 years. Overhauls are extended to every 1,500 flight hours or 10 years of operation. Another key feature of the Su-35 program is the X-band radar cross section reduction in the front hemisphere covering +/- 60 degrees.

The aerodynamic layout is leveraged from the Su-27 which means no canard foreplanes despite what was seen on the prototypes unveiled in the 1990s. The flight performance will be enhanced thanks to the three-channel KSU-35 fly-by-wire system being developed by MNPK Avionika. The upper air brake has been discarded and its function is taken over by differentially deflected rudders and the landing gear has been strengthened. The internal volumes re-design has allowed a fuel capacity increase by more than 20 percent to 11,500 kg which can attain 14,300 kg adding two 1,800-l external fuel tanks.

The production aircraft will feature X-band Irbis advanced phased array radar system, more powerful 117S engines, the latest Russian-made communication and radio-electronic equipment, glass cockpit with MFI-35 15-inch color multi-functional LCD displays, digital computers, HOTAS (Hands On Throttle and Stick) flight controls, wingtip-mounted ECM pods, drogue-and-hose air refueling system with a fuel transfer ratio of 1,100-liter/minute, OLS-35 Infrared Search and Track (IRST) System, and optional targeting pod as well as new avionics and weapons. Provided with 12 external hard-points the Su-35 would be able to carry an 8,000 kg payload.

The weapon options during air engagements include: one internally-mounted GSh-301 30mm cannon; eight R-27ER1 and four R-27ET1 or R-27EP1 or twelve RVV-AE/R-77 medium range air-to-air missiles (AAMs); up to six R-73E close-range AAMs. In the air-to-surface role the Su-35 may carry: six Kh-29TE or Kh-29L missiles; six Kh-31A anti-ship and/or Kh-31P anti-radiation missiles; five advanced Kh-59MK long-range anti-ship missiles as well as five Kh-58UShE extended-range anti-radiation missiles; three Club-family long-range anti-ship missiles (3M-14AE/3M-54AE1); or a single Yakhont heavy long-range anti-ship missile. The guided bombs include: up to eight TV-guided KAB-500KR/OD; or KAB-500S-E (Russian JDAM counterpart) and/or KAB-500L; up to three KAB-1500KR or KAB-1500L. The aircraft may be equipped with rockets and alternate weapons under development.

The first Su-35 aircraft performed its maiden flight summer 2007 and was displayed at the MAKS 2007 airshow in Moscow. The trials program started on February 20, 2008, and is expected to extend through early 2009. The Su-35 should be ready to enter active service with the Russian Air Force and foreign customers in 2010-2011 timeframe. According to Sukhoi, the Su-35 aircraft is intended for both Russian and export markets. It was reported by the Russian press that Venezuela may convert its existing order for 24 Su-30MK fighters into Su-35s thus becoming the first export customer.

Group : Multi-Role Fighters
Status : Active
Origin : Russia
Contractors : KnAAPO, Sukhoi
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : January 2022
First Flight : September 22, 2021
Total Production : 33

The prospective Russian Air Force Su-30SM2 is an upgraded variant of the twin-seat Su-30SM multirole fighter jet intended to remain in active service as a relevant airborne asset well beyond 2040. The aircraft will include the Irbis radar system to provide increased situational awareness, the AL-41F1S engines with thrust vectoring control (TVC) that will enhance the flight envelope while increasing the combat radius, a new electronic warfare (EW) suite, new high-speed communications and a new high precision targeting system. The resulting aircraft could perform front-line air defense and strike missions as well as serving as a front-line airborne command center for drone swarm under the responsibility of the weapons system office (WSO). The Su-30SM2 could take the skies as soon as 2021 and could achieve initial operational capability by 2025. Overall the Su-30SM2 will match the performance of the Su-35S fighter aircraft in many areas therefore making the SM2 capable of engaging the F-22 and F-35 stealth fighters.

The Russian Air Force plans call for the upgrade of the existing Su-30SM aircraft fleet to the SM2 standard beginning in the early 2020s. The Russian Air Force and Russian Navy started getting the first upgraded SM2 aircraft in January 2022. First batch of 21 Su-30SM2 aircraft for the Russian Navy ordered in 2021. Another batch (12) was delivered in August 2024.

Group : Multi-Role Fighters
Status : Active
Origin : Russia
Contractors : KnAAPO, Sukhoi
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : May 2024
First Flight : 2021
Total Production : ?

The Russian Air Force Su-35SM is an upgraded variant of the single-seat Su-35S multirole fighter jet intended to remain in active service as a relevant airborne asset well beyond 2040. The aircraft will include a new radar system to provide increased situational awareness, new engines that will enhance the flight envelope while increasing the combat radius, a new electronic warfare (EW) suite, new high-speed communications and potentially a new high precision targeting system. The resulting aircraft could perform front-line air defense and strike missions as well as operating along unmanned combat vehicles (UCAVs) such as the Okhotnik-B being developed by Sukhoi. The Su-35SM will be recipient of some of the advanced technology developed for the Su-57 stealth jet. The Su-35SM could take the skies as soon as 2021 and could achieve initial operational capability by 2025.

Group : Multi-Role Fighters
Status : Under Development
Origin : Russia
Contractors : Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Sukhoi
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : 2025
First Flight : 2024
Total Production : ?

The Super Sukhoi is an upgrade being planned for the Indian Air Force Su-30MKI aircraft fleet adding fifth generation features to a fourth generation combat jet. The Super Sukhoi will feature improved stealth abilities, longer range missiles and AESA radar, a supersonic cruise missile and a new avionics suite including a powerful jamming system and warners. The aircraft will be provided with semi-stealth characteristics. India and Russia were negotiating the deal for the Super Sukhoi with 194 jets to be upgraded at a cost of $8 billion in July 2016. The deal could be signed in early 2017. The first Super Sukhoi prototype will be built in Russia with modification work to be carried out in India by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).