Su-27 Flanker Operators List
|
1. Algeria 2. Angola 3. Belarus 4. China 5. Eritrea |
6. Ethiopia 7. India 8. Indonesia 9. Iran prospective buyer 10. Kazakhstan |
11. Malaysia 12. 13. Russia (USSR) 14. 15. Ukraine |
16. Uzbekistan 17. Venezuela 18. Vietnam |
| 1. Algeria: BACK TO TOP | ||||||||||
| Delivered: | 8x Su-30MKA |  | ||||||||
| Service: | 8x Su-30MKA | |||||||||
| On order: | 20x Su-30MKA | |||||||||
| First delivery: | Jan 2008 (2x Su-30MKA) | |||||||||
| Last delivery: | ~2009 | |||||||||
| Units: | Ain Beide | |||||||||
| Information: |
Rumours of Algeria operating Su-30MKs had been going
on for some years after Sukhoi/KnAAPO presented a Su-30MKK to Algeria for evaluation, the aircraft had Algerian
markings applied for the event. On the internet 'photoshopped' Chinese Su-30MKK images started to emerge with Algerian
markings pasted over the Chinese ones. However it was not until January 2006 that a Flanker deal was finalized. Algeria placed an order for 28 Su-30MKA. Build by Irkut the Su-30MKA is based on the Su-30MKI/Su-30MKM design, not the KnAAPO produced Su-30MKK. Like the Su-30MKM the Israeli supplied avionics of the Su-30MKI will probably be replaced with Russian and French alternatives. Although it has been reported it is closer to the Indian Su-30MKI standard, than the Su-30MKM. Trials are currently carried out integrating the Thales Damocles LDP/TGP on the Su-30MKA, as was done on the Su-30MKM. Irkut Aviation Production Association revealed in July 2007 that production of the Su-30MKA is moving ahead, with two aircraft having been completed and handed over to the Sukhoi design bureau for flight-testing, and another two are in the final stages of production. The first two Su-30MKAs departed from Irkutsk on December 25, 2007, on board an An-124. After arrival in Algeria, the aircraft were reassembled by Russian technicians. Russian pilots tested the aircraft after the New Year holidays, before they were formally handed over to Algeria. A further six were expected to arrive shortly, with the remainder being delivered by 2009. | |||||||||
| 2. Angola: BACK TO TOP | ||||||||||
| Delivered: | 8x Su-27/Su-27UB |  | ||||||||
| Service: | ~7x Su-27/Su-27UB | |||||||||
| On order: | ? | |||||||||
| First delivered: | mid 2000 | |||||||||
| Last delivered: | ~mid 2000 | |||||||||
| Information: | Angola acquired eight Su-27 Flankers from Russia in 2000, consisting of Su-27S single-seat and at least one Su-27UB twin-seat. Some sources suggest that the aircraft came from Belarus. One was lost on 19 November 2000, claimed to have shot down by SA-14 MANPADs. | |||||||||
| 3. Belarus: BACK TO TOP | ||||||||||
| Delivered: | 23x Su-27P/Su-27UB |  | ||||||||
| Service: | 22x Su-27P/Su-27UB/UBM1 | |||||||||
| On order: | - | |||||||||
| First delivered: | 1992* | |||||||||
| Last delivered: | 1992* | |||||||||
| Units: | 61st IAB Baranovichi | |||||||||
| Information: |
Belarus inherited a lot of combat aircraft after the break up
of the Soviet Union, among them were 23 Su-27 fighters. Belarusian
Su-27 still have the Soviet-era red star on their vertical tails
and no national insignia. The fleet is operated alongside the MiG-29s
at the 61st Fighter Air Base (IAB) at Baranovichi. One aircraft was lost in an accident
in 1996.
Presently the Belarusian Air and Air Defence Force is upgrading its MiG-29 fleet and decision to also upgrade its Su-27 fleet was reportedly made. Such an upgrade will include precision guided weapons capability as well as RVV-AE capability and other upgraded avionics. Two Su-27UBs have been recently upgraded to Su-27UBM1 standard, which has been developed by the 558th Aircraft Repair Plant at Baranovichi in cooperation with the Russian Avionics design bureau. Belarus Air Force and Air Defence Forces commander, chief of aviation RB Major General Mikhail Levitskiy announced that the purchase of new multi-role Su-30 fighters is considered to replace the existing Su-27s. It is likely that the 18 ex-Indian Air Force Su-30K fighters will be sold to Belarus after they have been returned to Russia, when replaced by new Su-30MKIs. The Su-27UBM1 upgrade is very similar to the Su-30KN multi-role fighter developed by Irkut in 1999, which is an upgraded Su-30K. Therefore chances are that the Su-30Ks will be sold to Belarus and upgraded by the 558th Plant. However, reportedly the deal was abandoned following a dispute between Belarus and Russia over the supply of Russian natural gas. | |||||||||
| 4. China: BACK TO TOP | ||||||||||
| Delivered: | 36x Su-27SK, 40x Su-27UBK, ~48x J-11, 76x Su-30MKK, 24 Su-30MKK2 |  | ||||||||
| Service: | ~36x Su-27SK, ~40x Su-27UBK, >20x J-11, ~76x Su-30MKK, 23 Su-30MKK2 | |||||||||
| On order: | 2+48x Su-33 ? J-11B | |||||||||
| First delivered: | Su-27SK/UBK June 1992, J-11 ? 1999, Su-30MKK ? 2002, Su-30MKK2 February 2004 | |||||||||
| Last delivered: | August 2004 | |||||||||
| Information: |
The People's Republic of China became the first non-CIS country to
receive the Su-27SK and Su-27UBK fighters. In 1991 a contract was signed
for 20 Su-27SK and 4 Su-27UBK, the first were delivered by ship in June 1992
followed by 12 Su-27SK flown non-stop from the factory to China. In 1995
another contract was signed for a second batch. In 1996 another 16 Su-27SK
and six Su-27UBK were delivered. On 6 December 1996 Russia approved license production of 200 Su-27SK fighters on the term that they would not be exported. The first two Chinese-built Su-27SK, designated J-11, were first test-flown in December 1998. Reportedly China has taken delivery of 95 assembly kits for local production, but only about 48 locally-built fighters have entered service. In 1999 a contract was signed for an additional delivery of Su-27UBK twin-seater trainers, reportedly the order consisted of 20 aircraft. The latest Flanker purchase by China are about 50 Su-30MKK multi-role fighters. In January 2003 a contract was signed for 24 improved Su-30MK2 (Su-30MKK2) multi-role Flankers. The first batch of six aircraft was delivered in February 2004, one of which crashed on March 16 due to pilot error. The other 18 were delivered between April and August 2004. The first evidence of the Su-30MKK2 having entered in Chinese PLA Navy service appeared in public in 2005. The PLAN Su-30MKK2 aircraft carry a light grey colour scheme, different from that worn by PLAAF Flankers. Although plans called for a further improved Su-30MK3 (Su-30MKK3) to be developed for China, the project was abandoned. Meanwhile China's Shenyang Aircraft Corporation developed an indigenous version based on the Su-27SK, designated J-11B, with Chinese avionics and systems. Russia found the copy to be in violation of intellectual property agreements and protested China's aim to offer the J-11B on the export market. Russia cancelled the Su-27SK production license and halted delivery of further components. In 2006, it was reported by Russian newspaper Kommersant that Rosoboronexport is believed to be in the final stages of negotiations to sell up to 50 Su-33 naval Flankers to China in a deal worth up to $2.5 billion. The aircraft would be operated from the former Soviet aircraft carrier Varyag, which China acquired from the Ukraine in 1999 and is currently being refitted at the Dalian shipyard. The deal was expected to include an initial $100 million order for two KnAAPO produced aircraft for trials. Additionally China sought to procure 12 aircraft to equip its first carrier. However in March 2009, the Moskovsky Komsomolets newspaper reported that negotiations on the deal had collapsed recently over fears that Beijing could produce cheaper export versions of the aircraft with Chinese avionics and systems, in similar fashion to the J-11B. Additionally Russia was reportedly seeking to secure an order for at least 24 aircraft to recoup production costs. | |||||||||
| 5. Eritrea: BACK TO TOP | ||||||||||
| Delivered: | ~8x Su-27SK/Su-27UB |  | ||||||||
| Service: | ~8x Su-27SK/Su-27UB | |||||||||
| On order: | - | |||||||||
| First delivered: | Summer 2003 | |||||||||
| Last delivered: | ? | |||||||||
| Information: |
At least one Su-27 single-seater and one Su-27UB two-seater have been supplied to Eritrea.
The Su-27UB aircraft was first spotted at the KnAAPO plant at
Komsomol'sk-on-Amur wearing the serial 608 at the top of the
fin in the same style as Eritrean MiG-29s. The 8 might suggest
that this is the 8th Su-27 in service. AFM has also published a photograph showing the Su-27UB on the flight line among several Eritrean MiG-29s in Eritrea, probably at the Asmara air base near the capital. Interesting is that the aircraft carries a similar splinter camoflage scheme as airshow demonstrator Flankers. A photograph showing a single-seat Su-27SK in Eritrean markings and with the same spliter camoflage can be found on the internet as well. | |||||||||
| 6. Ethiopia: BACK TO TOP | ||||||||||
| Delivered: | 11x Su-27SK, 3x Su-27S/P, 4x Su-27UB |  | ||||||||
| Service: | 11x Su-27SK, 3x Su-27S/P, 4x Su-27UB | |||||||||
| On order: | - | |||||||||
| First delivered: | November 1998 | |||||||||
| Last delivered: | 2003-2004 | |||||||||
| Information: |
In 1998 Russia started to export former Russian
Su-27s abroad, that had became available after the integration of the
Air Defence Forces and the Air Force. Also it would raise
funds for the Ministry of Defence to upgrade and replace
the existing fleet. Ethiopia was the first customer
and in late 1998 a contract was signed for six single-seat and
two twin-seat aircraft.
The first was delivered in November 1998. On 6 January 1999, one of the Su-27SK crashed while performing a demonstation flight. The aircraft was replaced by another one delivered from Russia. Since the service introduction in February 1999, the EtAF Su-27s have fought against Eritrean MiG-29s on several occassions in the second Ethiopian-Eritrean war (1998-2000). Five MiG-29s have been shot down, and one other MiG-29 was damaged and crashed during landing. EtAF Su-27S also shot down one Eritrean Learjet. According to official arms export data supplied by Russia, Ethiopia ordered another seven ex-Russian Air Force Su-27 Flankers in 2002. The aircraft believed to be five Su-27SK and two Su-27UB were delivered in 2003-2004. Ethiopia is also thought to have bought three Su-27s from the Ukraine. The Ethiopian Flanker fleet is reportedly based at Debre Zeyit. | |||||||||
| 7. India: BACK TO TOP | ||||||||||
| Delivered: | 18x Su-30K (Su-30MK), 32x Su-30MKI, 1x HAL Su-30MKI |  | ||||||||
| Service: | 32x Su-30MKI, ~10x HAL Su-30MKI | |||||||||
| On order: | ~130x Su-30MKI (HAL), 18x Su-30MKI (Irkut), 40x Su-30MKI (HAL) | |||||||||
| First delivered: | Spring 1997 (Su-30K) 22 June 2002 (Irkut Su-30MKI) December 2004 (HAL Su-30MKI) late 2007 (Irkut Su-30MKI, Su-30K replacements) | |||||||||
| Last delivered: | 1999 (Su-30K) December 2004 (Irkut Su-30MKI) ~2008 (Irkut Su-30MKI, Su-30K replacements) ~2017-2018 (HAL Su-30MKI) | |||||||||
| Information: |
On 30 November 1996 Russia and India signed a contract for the
delivery of 50 Su-30MK multi-purpose twin-seat fighters, also
known as Su-30MKI (I for India). The first eight aircraft
had capabilities as the Su-30K, the other ten had already some of the multi-role improvements added. The other 32 were Su-30MKI standard aircraft upgraded with thrust vectoring AL-31FP engines, improved avionics and canards (see variants). The first batch of ten Su-30MKI aircraft was delivered on 22 June 2002. Second batch counted 12 aircraft. The third and final batch of the initial order produced by Irkut consisted of ten aircraft and were delivered during December 2004. The Indian Air Force also has 140 Su-30MKI aircraft on order which will be produced under license by Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL). The initial batch of 26 aircraft will be produced from assembly kits provided by Irkut. At HAL's Nasik plant, production started in 2004 and the first locally produced Su-30MKI was rolled out on 28 November 2004 and delivered in December 2004. Production is expected to peak at around 12 aircraft per year with final deliveries in 2017-2018. The Su-30MKI will become the mainstay of the Indian Air Force (IAF). The Su-30K aircraft were originally planned to be upgraded to MKI standard, but this plan was abandoned for financial reasons. Instead India ordered 18 additional new-built Su-30MKI from Irkut. Irkut plans to deliver the first 12 of these before the end of 2007. Russia will buy back the Su-30Ks for $12 million per aircraft, planning to upgrade them to Su-30KN and resell them (see Belarus entry). In December 2006, the Defence Acquisition Council granted approval for 40 additional Su-30MKI to be produced by HAL following completion of the standing order for 140 Su-30MKIs. However the contract still needs to be approved by the Finance Ministry and Cabinet Committee on Security and negotiations with Russia have to be finalized. | |||||||||
| 8. Indonesia: BACK TO TOP | ||||||||||
| Delivered: | 2x Su-27SK, 2x Su-30MK, 3x Su-30MK2 |  | ||||||||
| Service: | 2x Su-27SK, 2x Su-30MK, 3x Su-30MK2 | |||||||||
| On order: | 3x Su-27SKM | |||||||||
| First delivered: | 27 August 2003 (1st order) 2 February 2009 (2nd order) | |||||||||
| Last delivered: | September 2003 (1st order) ~2010 (2nd order) | |||||||||
| Units: | Skadron Udara 11 (11th Air Squadron), Saltan Hassanuddin Air Base, Makassar, South Sulawesi | |||||||||
| Information: | In 2003 the government of Indonesia ordered two Su-27SK (serial TS2701 and TS2702) single-seat
and two Su-30MK (serial TS3001 and TS3002) multi-purpose twin-seat aircraft to replace the ageing and gounded fleet of 20 A-4/TA-4 Skyhawks
of the Tentara Nasional Indonesia - Angkatan Udara (TNI-AU - Indonesian Air Force).
The order was part of a medium term plan to establish four new fighter squadrons before 2010, however
these plans have been scaled down.
The Indonesian Su-30MK twin-seat aircraft were first reported to be designated Su-30KI, confusingly this designation had already been used for a new single-seat version specially developed for Indonesia. Indonesia had already signed a contract for 24 of these single-seat Su-30KI back in September 1997. However the contract was cancelled in 1998 as a result of the Asian economic crisis. Indonesia's Su-30MKs are KnAAPO built examples similar to China's Su-30MKK. The Indonesian Su-30MK are sometimes also referred to as Su-30MKI or Su-30MK(I). The I clearly standing for Indonesia, and not referring to India's Su-30MKI version built by Irkut. In June 2006, it was announced that Indonesia planned to procure six additional Flankers from Russia. It was also made public that the four aircraft procured in 2003 had been inactive awaiting upgrade of their communication systems, which were incompatible with the Indonesian systems in use, and that no weapons were bought. On 21 August 2007, on the opening day of MAKS 2007, Indonesia signed an agreement with Rosoboronexport for the purchase of three Su-27SKM upgraded multi-role single-seat export variants and three Su-30MK2 two-seat multirole derivatives, similar to those supplied to China, Vietnam and Venezuela. On the same day, Sukhoi also revealed it had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Indonesia on the delivery of the six fighters. The value of the contract was reported to be USD 300 million. More than a year later, the order was formalised in November 2008, when Indonesia had finally secured sufficient financing to cover the deal. Two new Su-30MK2s arrived on board an An-124 on December 26, 2008, at Saltan Hassanuddin air base, Makassar. The aircraft, with serials TS3003 and TS3004, were first flown from Saltan Hassanuddin on January 6, 2009, by a Russian pilot to test all on-board systems. The third and final Su-30MK2 (serial TS3005) also arrived by An-124 at the base on January 17, 2009. Following re-assembly and test flights, TS3005 was delivered on January 25, 2009. All three Su-30MK2s were subsequently formally handed over to the TNI-AU on February 2, 2009. The three new Su-30MK2 two-seaters join the two Su-27SK single-seaters and two Su-30MK two-seaters operated by the TNI-AU's Skadron Udara 11 at Saltan Hassanuddin air base. The three Su-27SKM single-seaters (likely to be serialled TS2703 thru TS2705) on order are expected to be delivered in stages later in 2009 and 2010. | |||||||||
| 9. Iran: BACK TO TOP | ||||||||||
| Delivered: | - |  | ||||||||
| Service: | - | |||||||||
| On order: | - | |||||||||
| First delivery: | - | |||||||||
| Last delivery: | - | |||||||||
| Information: |
In mid 2007, reports started to appear in the media that Iran was close to signing
an order with Russia's state arms export company Rosoboronexport for at least 250 Su-30MK variants.
It is not clear how close the deal is to being finalized, nor the exact variant Iran seeks to obtain;
KnAAPO-built variant based on the Su-30MKK/MK2, or one based on the Su-30MKI/MKM design with TVC engines
and canard foreplanes. In the reports, it was also mentioned that Iran was seeking 20 Ilyushin Il-78 Midas
tankers to prodive aerial refuelling for the Su-30MKs, further extending the range. However, at the Paris Air Show held in June 2007, Russian state arms export company Rosoboronexport CEO Sergei Chemezov said that Russia has no plans to sell MiG fighters to Syria and Iran. It is likely that the same will apply to any Su-30MK sales for the time being, as Russia suspended its arms supplies to the Middle East following last year's conflict in Lebanon. | |||||||||
| 10. Kazakhstan: BACK TO TOP | ||||||||||
| Delivered: | 36x Su-27P/Su-27UB |  | ||||||||
| Service: | 28x Su-27P, 8x Su-27UB | |||||||||
| On order: | - | |||||||||
| First delivered: | 1996 | |||||||||
| Last delivered: | 1999 | |||||||||
| Information: |
Kazakhstan did not inherit Su-27 fighters, but they did
possess tactical strike and reconnaissance aircraft including
40 Tupolev Tu-95MS strategic heavy bombers. In a deal with
Russia the bombers were swapped for 27 MiG-29 and 16 Su-27 fighters
as well as some Su-25 attack aircraft. The first four Su-27s
were delivered in 1996. At least eight additional
Su-27s followed under military cooperation agreements. In November
1999 a contract was signed for 12 more Su-27s as payment for
Russia's debts. All single-seat Su-27s are believed to be former PVO Su-27Ps. According to Letectví a kosmonautika [Müller & Büttner, 2006], the KzAF had 28 Su-27Ps and eight Su-27UBs on strength in 2005. The Su-27s are stationed at Karaganda alongside the MiG-31s near the capital Astana and at Aktau together with some Su-25s near the Caspian Sea [Müller & Büttner, 2006; 2007]. | |||||||||
| 11. Malaysia: BACK TO TOP | ||||||||||
| Delivered: | 12x Su-30MKM |  | ||||||||
| Service: | 12x Su-30MKM | |||||||||
| On order: | 6x Su-30MKM | |||||||||
| First delivered: | 18 June 2007 | |||||||||
| Last delivered: | ~2008 | |||||||||
| Units: | 11 Skn, Gong Kedak | |||||||||
| Information: | The contract for 18 Su-30MKM fighters was signed on 5 August 2003. Pilot training in Russia reportedly started in early 2004 to train four pilots and two weapons system officers who will become instructors. Two Su-30MKI pre-production aircraft (number 04 and 05) had been converted to Su-30MKM prototypes for testing the integration of the new avionics. Official handover of the first aircraft took place on May 24, 2007, when two Su-30MKM were officially accepted by the RMAF at Irkut's facility in Irkutsk, Russia. The two aircraft (serials M52-01 and M52-02) were delivered to Kong Kedak AB, Malaysia, on June 18 by an An-124-100, one day behind schedule. The second pair arrived in July/August 2007, Su-30MKM 'M52-04' has already been spotted in Malaysia, the serial indicates it is the fourth aircraft for the RMAF. Three Sukhoi test pilots are currently in Malaysia to test fly the reassembled aircraft and undertake RMAF pilot conversion. The first five month conversion training programme started in July 2007. By December 2007, Malaysia had taken delivery of six Su-30MKMs and six crews were trained on the aircraft. Malaysia plans to train 72 officers as pilots and weapons system officers for the Su-30MKM, some of which may undergo training in India. The last aircraft will be delivered in 2008. | |||||||||
| 12. | ||||||||||
| Delivered: | - |  | ||||||||
| Service: | - | |||||||||
| On order: | - | |||||||||
| First delivered: | - | |||||||||
| Last delivered: | - | |||||||||
| Information: | The Mexican Navy had selected Sukhoi’s Su-27 over the Saab/BAE Systems Gripen to equip its first air defence unit.
The new fleet of fighters would enable strategic surveillance over key areas of the Mexican coastline, such as the Bay of Campeche oil field.
In June 2006, it was reported that contract negotiations with Rosoboronexport
were underway to buy eight single-seat Su-27s and two Su-27UB dual-seat trainers. Although some sources suggested the deal
could be for up to 12 aircraft. On February 23, 2007, the Secretaria de Marine-Armada de Mexico (SEMAR - Secretariat of the Mexican Navy) announced that the plan to acquire Su-27s have had to be abandonded due to budget constraints. SEMAR confirmed that lower cost alternatives, at the time rejected in favour of the Su-27 purchase, will have to be re-evaluated. [AFM #230]. | |||||||||
| 13. Russia (USSR): BACK TO TOP | ||||||||||
| Delivered: | ~500x Su-27/Su-27UB ? Su-30 24x Su-33, 1x Su-33UB ~3x Su-35 |  | ||||||||
| Service: | ~340x Su-27/Su-27UB, 24x Su-27SM ? x Su-30 24x Su-33, 1x Su-33UB ~3x Su-35 | |||||||||
| On order: | 2x Su-34, ?x Su-27SM | |||||||||
| First delivered: | 1985 (Su-27) ? (Su-30) ? (Su-33) 15 Dec 2006 (Su-34) ? (Su-35) | |||||||||
| Last delivered: | ? (Su-27) ? (Su-30) ? (Su-33) ? (Su-34) ? (Su-35) | |||||||||
| Information: |
Deliveries of the Su-27 fighters to the Soviet Air Force and Air Defence Forces started in 1985.
Most of the series produced aircraft were T-10S design, hence the designation of Su-27S. Since
1989 all new manufactured aircraft had their air-to-ground weapons capability removed, carrying
the factory designation T-10P, thus making the "semi-official" designation Su-27P. The first batch of 20 Su-27s were handed over from 22 June 1985 to the ADF (PVO) fighter regiment based at Dzemgi AB in the Far East. From 1986 the re-equipment of fighter units was accelerated. By 1990, the European part of the Soviet Union had received 367 Su-27 fighters (138 for the Air Force and 229 for the ADF fighter regiments). 67 of the Soviet Air Force aircraft were stationed in Poland. It was then estimated by Western experts that the total number of Su-27s in existence was 500. After the breakup of the Soviet Union about one hundred aircraft found new owners. The aircraft in Poland were retreated in the summer of 1992. By early 1996 it was estimated that 130 Su-27 fighters were in service with the Air Force and 300 with the ADF. In addition, the Northern fleet operated 24 Su-33 (Su-27K) naval fighters. In late 1998, the Air Force and Air Defence Force were unified in the Russian Air Force. Press reported in early 2000 that the Russian Air Force (RuAF) operated about 340 Su-27 aircraft, equipping 12 fighter regiments and training centers of Lipetsk, Savasleika, the academy at Kushchovskaya as well as the Kubinka Aircraft Demonstration Center (Russian Knights). In mid 2006, the 23rd IAP became the first Russian Air Force regiment to fully re-equip with a full complement of 24 Su-27SM upgraded Flankers. According to earlier reports, the RuAF operates five Su-30 variants and three Su-35 have been delivered. The Su-30s are operated by the two Centres of Combat Employment and Flight Personnel Retraining: Savasleika (tail numbers 50, 51, 52, 53) and Lipetsk (tail numbers include 66). Test Pilots team was also equipped with one Su-30 (tail 597). The three Su-35s were deployed with the RuAF's Flight Testing Centre at Akhtubinsk in 1996 (tail numbers 86, 87, 88). Besides the armed forces a number of civilian organisation operate the type. Most importantly of these is the Sukhoi Design Bureau, KnAAPO and the Gromov LII Flight Research Institute. Then there is the Test Pilots aerobatic team. On December 15, 2006, the first two Su-34s were officially handed over to the Russian Air Force. The aircraft 'Red 01' and 'Red 02' (the 8th and 9th aircraft produced) were delivered to the 4th Combat and Conversion Training Centre in Lipetsk for final stages of state trials. They were joined on August 3, 2007, by the first production standard Su-34. Between 2007-2015 the Russian Air Force will procure a large number of upgraded Su-34 bombers, to replace the Su-24 'Fencer' fleet in primarily the strike attack role. In 2007 funding is available for a further six aircraft and ten more will be produced in 2008. In 2010 24 Su-34s are expected to be delivered for the first air regiment at Voronezh. It is planned that the Russian Air Force will have as many as 58 Su-34s by 2015 equipping two or three bomber regiments, later statements by officials called for 70 Su-34s by 2015. | |||||||||
| 14. | ||||||||||
| Delivered: | - | | ||||||||
| Service: | - | |||||||||
| On order: | - | |||||||||
| First delivered: | - | |||||||||
| Last delivered: | - | |||||||||
| Information: |
Although Russia presented the Su-27 fighter on several occasions,
Syria never placed the order. On at least two occassions the Su-27s
carried 'full' Syrian Arab Air Force (SyAAF) markings and were flown
by SyAAF pilots for familarisation and testing. However lack of funding and/or disputes about the payment of weapons delivered in the 1980s obstructed the deal. Another problem was that Rosobornexport (Russian export company for defence equipment) did only offer 12 aircraft, while Syria studies showed that they needed 42 Flankers. For unknown reasons Russia did not want to offer more Flankers and Syria finally turned to RSK MIG and ordered 22 second-hand upgraded MiG-29s. However, there were reports in January 2007 of a $1 billion deal with Syria similar to the one signed with Algeria in January 2006. The deal focuses on acquisition of new MiG-29M/M2 fighters and MiG-29SMT upgrades to the existing fleet. The deal has also been reported to include the MiG-31 and Su-30MK2. At the Paris Air Show 2007, RAC MiG deputy general manager Vladimir Vypryzhkin confirmed having received the first foreign order for the MiG-31 and MiG-29M/M2 fighter, he did not disclose further details. But he did not rule out the Middle East for future MiG-29 and MiG-31 deliveries. However, also at the Paris Air Show, Russian state arms export company Rosoboronexport CEO Sergei Chemezov denied the earlier reports, saying that Russia has no plans to sell MiG fighters to Syria and Iran. It is likely that the same applies to any Su-30MK sales for the time being, as Russia suspended its arms supplies to the Middle East following last year's conflict in Lebanon. | |||||||||
| 15. Ukraine: BACK TO TOP | ||||||||||
| Delivered: | 67x Su-27/Su-27UB |  |
||||||||
| Service: | ~60x Su-27/Su-27UB | |||||||||
| On order: | - | |||||||||
| First delivered: | 1992* | |||||||||
| Last delivered: | 1992* | |||||||||
| Units: | 831 avbrv, Myrgorod | |||||||||
| Information: |
After the fall of the Soviet Union, when Ukraine gained
its independence, it inherited some 1500 combat aircraft and
in March 1992 the Ukrainian Air Force was establised.
The most up-to-date fighter among the inherited aircraft
was the Su-27, which remains the main fighter of the
Ukrainian Air Force today. The red star has been replaced by
national insignia which changed several times during the 90s.
One Su-27UB was lost after crashing during an airshow at the Ukrainian airbase of L'vov-Sknilov on 27 July 2002. The Su-27UB plunged into the crowd after hitting a parked aircraft and exploded in a ball of fire killing 83 and injuring 115 spectators. The pilot was arrested, the air force commander was sacked and three other senior officers of the 14th air corps were arrested. | |||||||||
| 16. Uzbekistan: BACK TO TOP | ||||||||||
| Delivered: | 25x Su-27P, 6x Su-27UB |  | ||||||||
| Service: | ~25x Su-27P/Su-27UB | |||||||||
| On order: | - | |||||||||
| First delivered: | 1992* | |||||||||
| Last delivered: | 1992* | |||||||||
| Units: | 62 IAP, Andizhan | |||||||||
| Information: | Uzbekistan inherited about 300 aircraft including 31 Su-27 fighters from the 62nd IAP of the former Soviet Air Defence Forces (PVO) based at Andizhan. | |||||||||
| 17. Venezuela: BACK TO TOP | ||||||||||
| Delivered: | 24x Su-30MKV |  |
||||||||
| Service: | 24x Su-30MKV | |||||||||
| On order: | - | |||||||||
| First delivered: | 30 Nov 2006 | |||||||||
| Last delivered: | ~July 2008 | |||||||||
| Units: | Grupo Aéreo de Caza 13 "Libertador Simón Bolívar", Base Aèrea Teniente Luis del Valle García, Barcelona. | |||||||||
| Information: | Venezuela placed an initial order for 24 Su-30MK2 Flankers on July 25, 2006, as part of a $3 billion weapons
contract which also included helicopters and other equipment. The
first two KnAAPO-built Su-30MKV (Su-30MK2 AMV) Flankers were delivered on November 30, 2006, and formally accepted on December 5 by the Venezuelan government-owned Cavim weapons factory.
The two aircraft, serials 0460 and 1259, made
their first public debut at the 86th anniversary of the Venezuelan Air Force display at Base Aérea El Libertador in Maracay
on December 10, 2006. The Flankers are operated by Grupo Aéreo de Caza 13 "Libertador Simon Bolivar" based at Base Aérea Luis Del Valle Garcia in Barcelona.
A further two were delivered in late December, 2006, (serial 1265 and 8963), followed by four more in March 2007 (including 1075).
The last pair of the 24 aircraft was delivered in July 2008. The FAV is currently looking at the Su-35 to replace its Mirage 50s and reportedly a second batch of 12 Su-30MKV is also being considered. | |||||||||
| 18. Vietnam: BACK TO TOP | ||||||||||
| Delivered: | 7x Su-27SK, 5x Su-27UBK, 4x Su-30MK2V |  | ||||||||
| Service: | 6x Su-27SK, 5x Su-27UBK, 4x Su-30MK2V | |||||||||
| On order: | ? | |||||||||
| First delivered: | May 1995 (Su-27/Su-27UB) November 2004 (Su-30MK2V) | |||||||||
| Last delivered: | Summer 1998 (Su-27/Su-27UB) November 2004 (Su-30MK2V) | |||||||||
| Information: |
Vietnam became the second Asian country to purchase the
Su-27 aircraft. The first batch was delivered in May 1995,
shipped from Russia, and included five Su-27SK and one
Su-27UBK. In December 1996 an additional batch of two Su-27SK
and four Su-27UBK was ordered, and the first were delivered
in October 1997. One Su-27SK has been lost. In late 2003 a contract was signed for four slightly modified derivatives of the production Su-30MK2 two-seat multirole fighter, which was developed for China. Modifications include an upgraded communications suite and improved ejection seats. In November 2004 KnAAPO shipped four Su-30MK2V fighters to the Vietnamese People's Air Force (VPAF) The 16 VPAF Flankers are based at Phan Rang air base and fall under the command of the 370th Air Division. | |||||||||
| Notes: BACK TO TOP | ||||||||||
| * aircraft were inherited from the former Soviet Union ~ estimated + option ? unknown - none or not applicable / combination of both Sukhoi Company - Sukhoi holding company (JSC) Sukhoi OKB - Sukhoi Design Bureau (JSC), 50% +1 owned by Sukhoi KnAAPO - Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Production Association, 74.5% owned by Sukhoi NAPO - Novosibirsk Aircraft Production Association, 74.5% owned by Sukhoi IAP0 - Irkutsk Aircraft Production Association, part of Irkut SPC, 13.2% owned by Sukhoi | ||||||||||
| Sources: BACK TO TOP | ||||||||||
| ||||||||||
| Comment: BACK TO TOP | ||||||||||
|
Please send me any corrections, updates or comments by using the form below:
| ||||||||||
Copyright © 2008 Niels Hillebrand - MILAVIA.NET
| ||||||||||
Back to Index
