Powerful New Su-30 Variant with Unrivalled Flight Performance to Join Russian Air Force in 2021: Exports to India Expected

The Russian Air Force is expected to induct an all new variant of the Su-30 heavyweight fighter into service in 2021, with the aircraft based on the Su-30SM design and currently in production. The fighters are the first Su-30 variants classified as ‘4++ generation’ fighters by Russian sources, and will be the first to benefit from three dimensional thrust vectoring capabilities and to integrate new AL-41 engines – specifically the AL-41F-1S. The AL-41 has been used by the Russian Air Force for over six years, and currently powers the service’s Su-35 fighters which are its only ‘4++ generation’ heavyweight fighters that are operational. The Su-30 and Su-35 are notably both based on the Su-27 Flanker airframe and have the same dimensions, although the former is considerably cheaper and has a number of disadvantages including lower use of composite materials, a higher radar cross section, weaker engines and a less powerful sensor suite. Equipping the Su-30 with the AL-41 engine is reportedly part of a broader effort to merge the two fighter programs – possibly in preparation for manufacturing under a single production line after 2027 under Russia’s next State Armaments Plan. Read more…