SU30

The Sukhoi Su-30 is a family of twin-engine, two-seat, multirole fighters developed by Russia's Sukhoi Design Bureau as a derivative of the Su-27. Conceived to provide both air superiority and long-range strike capability, the Su-30 emphasizes multirole versatility and extended range compared with a single-seat fighter. The two-seat variant first flew in the late 1980s and entered service in the 1990s; since then the lineage has grown into numerous export and domestic variants.

The Su-30 family encompasses variants such as Su-30MKI (India), Su-30MKK/MK2 (China), Su-30MKA (Algeria), Su-30MKM (Malaysia), and domestic Su-30SM/Su-30SME (Russia). Common features include a pair of engines, an advanced radar and avionics suite, and the ability to carry air-to-air missiles as well as air-to-ground weapons. Several export and domestic variants incorporate advanced canards or thrust-vectoring to enhance maneuverability and survivability.

The Su-30 is used by several air forces around the world, reflecting its role as a flexible, long-range multirole fighter. It is designed to operate in conjunction with allied platforms via data links and integrated air defense networks.

Development and production: Development is by Sukhoi, now part of United Aircraft Corporation, with production and upgrading continuing to adapt to customer requirements.