Published on December 10, 2005

The Su-30 (Su-27P), manufactured by Russia’s Sukhoi Company, is a two-seater long-range interceptor fighter that first flew in December 1989 and entered service with the Russian air force in 1992.

Based on the Su-27UB two-seat trainer, it has a new radio-location system which can transmit the positions of 10 targets to four other fighters at the same time.

The so-called Su-30 series of aircraft began with the Su-27M, in effect a concept demonstrator renamed the Su-35, the Flanker has evolved into the Su-30 multi-role fighter, the Su-32/34 tactical bomber and the Su-33 naval variant. Subtypes intended for foreign sales include the Su-30MKI (India) and the Su-30MKK (China).

The Su-30s cost about US$34 million (Bt1.36 billion) each, considerably more than the F-16. India has agreed to buy 40 Su-30MK two-seater fighters for $1.2 billion.

Source: Globalsecurity.org

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