Sukhoi Su-30MKK
The Sukhoi Su-30MKK (NATO reporting name:
Flanker-G)[1] is a modication of the Sukhoi Su-30, in-
corporating advanced technology from the Sukhoi Su-
35 variant. Su-30MKK was developed by Sukhoi Com-
pany (JSC) in 1997, as a result of a direct Request for
tender between the Russian Federation and China.[2] It
is a heavy class, all-weather, long-range strike ghter,
and like the Sukhoi Su-30, comparable to, but not as
good as, the American McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike
Eagle. Su-30MK2 is a further improvement to Su-
30MKK with upgraded avionics and maritime strike ca-
pabilities. The MKK and MK2 are currently operated
by the Peoples Liberation Army Air Force, Indonesian
Air Force, Vietnam Peoples Air Force, Venezuelan Air
Force and the Ugandan Air Force.[3][4]
1 Development
The Peoples Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) lead-
ership became concerned by the United States Air Force's
(USAF) expanding defended-airspace-penetration and
precision-strike capability during the 1990s. As defen-
sive orientated tactics were dropped and a more aggres-
sive stance was adopted, the requirement for a heavy
ghter with a large combat radius and a precision-guided
munition employment capability was placed upon the po-
litical leadership of the Peoples Republic of China.[2]
During a visit to the Russian Federation at the end of
1996, Chinese Premier Li Peng signed an agreement
worth US$1.8 billion to purchase 38 advanced Multirole
combat aircraft. Technical negotiations started right
away.[2]
Sukhoi saw enormous potential to meet Chinas require-
ment with its Su-30MK, while incorporating technology
from the Su-27M, to develop a new ghter that preserved
the types iconic tall and thick Carbon-ber-reinforced
polymer ns as fuel tanks for longer range. The type
was to be designated as Su-30MKK (Modernizirovannyi
Kommercheskiy Kitayski Modernised Commercial for
China).[2]
Final details of the agreement were settled during the
Zhuhai Air Show in 1998. The ocial agreement was
signed in Russia by the Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji in
March 1999. That same month, a Bort 501 Blue pro-
totype made its rst ight at the Zhukovsky Air Base.[2]
In November 2000, Bort 502 Blue attended the Zhuhai
Air Show and a month later the rst batch of ten Su-
1
30MKK was delivered. Second batch of 10 were deliv-
ered on 21 August 2001, with the third batch of 18 fol-
lowing in December.[2]
In July 2001, Chinese President Jiang Zemin and his Rus-
sian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, signed a deal for a fur-
ther 38 aircraft.[2]
In the year 2002, the two countries were negotiating on
the purchase of the Su-30MK2 for the Peoples Libera-
tion Army Naval Air Force (PLANAF). The variant had
a revised weapon control system for the Kh-31A air-to-
surface missile. A contract for 24 aircraft to be built by
KnAAPO was signed in early 2003. All were delivered
in 2004.[2]
2 Design
Su-30MKK shares compatibility with Su-35 in terms of
hardware, but in terms of software, Su-30MKK diers
from Su-35 (Flanker-E) on a much greater scale in com-
parison to Indian Su-30MKI because of dierent mis-
sion requirements by China. The Flanker family air-
craft has the problem of the reduction of maximum g-
force level being decreased to 7g from the 9g at speed
between Mach 0.7 to Mach 0.9, and this problem was
completely solved on Su-30MKK by adopting new mea-
sures. According the Sukhoi Design Bureau, Su-30MKK
is the rst of the Flanker family to achieve it after Su-35
/ 37 (Flanker-E/F) and Sukhoi Su-30MKI. Higher per-
centage of composite material is used for Su-30MKK in
comparison to the original Su-30MK. In addition, new
aluminum alloy were used to replaced the old type used
on Su-30MK for weight reduction. The twin rudders
mainly made of carbon ber composite material were
larger on Su-30MKK in comparison to that of the origi-
nal Su-30MK, but contrary to what was once erroneously
claimed by some western sources, Sukhoi Design Bureau
revealed later that the increased space in the rudders were
used for additional fuel tanks, instead of larger communi-
cation UHF antenna. The capacity of the fuel tanks in the
wings is also increased. A twin nose landing gear of size
620 mm x 180 mm has replaced the single nose landing
gear of size 680 mm x 260 mm used on Su-30MK to ac-
commodate the increased weight. The maximum take-o
weight and weapon load are increased to 38 tons and 12
tons respectively, but this extreme limit is often avoided
by taking o at lighter weight. It was rumored that the
Chinese pilots were not as experienced as Russian test
pilots when operating at this extreme limits, which con-
2 2 DESIGN

tributed to the crashes at least partially. The original K-36 while the encrypted HF communication radio of Su-
ejection seat on Su-30MK is replaced by K-36M ejection 30MKK has a maximum range in excess of 1,500 km,
seat for Su-30MKK. and all can be used for both air-to-air or air-to-ground
two-way communications. Su-30MKK is the rst of
Flanker family to be equipped with TKS-2 C3 system,
2.1 Fuel capacity which is capable of simultaneously commanding and con-
trolling up to 15 aircraft with such system, and the air-
In addition to the newly added fuel tanks in the rudders to-air missiles launched by these aircraft. According to
capacity totaling 280 kg, there are four main fuel tanks. the developer of the system, Russkaya Avionika JSC, the
No. 1 tank with capacity totaling 3,150 kg is in the front, encrypted two-way communication Command, control,
No. 2 tank with capacity totaling 4,150 kg is in the mid- and communications system can be either commanded
dle, No. 3 tank with capacity totaling 1,053 kg is in the or controlled by ground stations, or act as the com-
rear, and No. 4 tank with capacity totaling 1,552 kg is lo- mand/control center for other aircraft. The system is
cated in the wings. During aerial refueling, the maximum claimed by the Russian developer as a huge leap forward
capacity of Su-30MKK is receiving up to 2,300 liters per in comparison to the similar rudimentary system on Su-
minute. The altitude of refueling is limited to 2 km to 27, which is only capable of one way communication.
6 km, and the speed is limited to 450550 km/h. Aerial The new system is also the rst among Russian system
refueling probe is located in front of cockpit on the left, that is capable of forming a local area network like simi-
and the design is capable of night refueling. lar system on American Grumman F-14 Tomcat.

2.3.2 Electronic warfare systems

2.2 Engine
The main power plants are two AL-31F engines that pro-
vide great maneuverability and thrust. Range can be ex-
tended with the aerial refueling probe. Domestic Chinese
resources have claimed that the Chinese engine WS-10
with higher mean time between overhaul can also be used,
but this is yet to be conrmed by the ocial sources and
sources outside China. The average Mean time between
failures of AL-31F is only slightly above 500 hours, sig-
nicantly lower than its western counterparts, the same
problem reportedly encountered by Indian Air Force for
its Su-30MKI eet.
2.3 Avionics
According to Sukhoi Design Bureau, many of the new
avionics and upgrades of current avionics were specially
developed to meet the Chinese requirement, and subse-
quently used on other members of the Flanker family, in-
cluding the more advanced versions that appeared later,
and this was mainly due to the fact that the funding for
Su-30MKK was readily available in comparison to oth-
ers. The primary contractors / system integrator for Su-
30MKK avionics was RPKB Instrumentation Design Bu-
reau headquartered at Ramenskoye, and many new mea-
sures were adopted to meet the Chinese requirement,
such as the open architecture software design. The devel- 2.3.3 Flight control
opment of avionics for the Su-30MKK was also assisted
by 12 Ukrainian factories, based in Kiev.[5]
2.3.1 Communications
The encrypted VHF/UHF communication radio of Su- tion and it will be used to replace the original Russian
30MKK has a maximum range in excess of 400 km, system. However, this has yet to be conrmed by western
Russian sources have claimed that the electronic war-
fare systems of Su-30MKK utilizes the latest technolo-
gies available in Russia and the radar warning receivers
are so eective that the information provided by RWR
alone would be enough to provide targeting information
for Kh-31P anti-radiation missile without using other de-
tection systems on board, though information can also be
provided by L-150 ELINT system, which can be used
in conjunction with Kh-31P. The maximum range of
the RWR is termed at several hundred kilometers, and
based on the 200 km maximum range of the Kh-31P
anti-radiation missile, the maximum should be at least
that much. The threat information obtained from RWRs
can be either provided on the LCD MFDs (showing the
most dangerous four targets) for the pilot in the man-
ual mode, or be used automatically. The active jam-
ming pods are mounted on the wing tips, and the APP-
50 decoy launcher is mounted near the tail cone with 96
decoys of dierent kinds. Domestic Chinese electronic
warfare systems including BM/KG300G and KZ900 can
also be carried after modication of onboard system, but
such modication was neither part of the original deal nor
the upgrade deal with Russians, instead, this was imple-
mented indigenously by Chinese themselves during the
incremental upgrades.
The y by wire (FBW) control with quadruple redun-
dancy designed by Russkaya Avionika is the same sys-
tem used for the Su-30MKI. Russian sources have con-
rmed the claims of domestic Chinese sources that an
indigenous Chinese system developed is near its comple-
2.3 Avionics
sources and ocial Chinese governmental sources, which
only acknowledged in the 6th Zhuhai Airshow that do-
mestic y-by-wire (FBW) control with quadruple redun-
dancy is developed to accommodate domestic engines,
but nothing was mentioned about whether the domestic
system and engines would be used on future Su-30MKK
upgrades.
2.3.4 Flight instruments
The Su-30MKK features a glass cockpit of Russkaya
Avionika JSC, with each pilot having two large multi-
function displays, arranged in a rather unconventional
way: one atop of the other. Two 178 127 mm (7 5 in)
MFI-9 colour LCD MFDs are located in the front seat, a
single MFI-9 and a 204 152 mm (8 6 in) MFI-10
color LCD MFDs are located in the rear seat. The head-
up display (HUD) is also developed by Russkaya Avonika
JSC, designated as SILS-30.
2.3.5 Helmet mounted sight
The original ASP-PVD-21 series helmet mounted sight
(HMS) with only limited eld of view (FoV) was replaced
by more advanced Sura-K HMS system, but Chinese have
been replacing the Russian HMS with more advanced do-
mestic system. Publicized photos and video clips from
the ocial Chinese governmental sources such as CCTV-
7 in 2007 and PLA pictorial magazine have conrmed the
western claims of Chinese is replacing the original Rus-
sian helmet mounted sights (HMS) with more capable do-
mestic ones.
2.3.6 Mission computer
The new mission computer was jointly developed by
the Russian National Aeronautical System Science Re-
search Academy and Russkaya Avionika JSC, designated
as MVK, capable of performing ten billion FLOPS. All
avionics on board is built to MIL-STD-1553 standard.
There are four computers based on Baguet-55 series pro-
cessor, one for central avionics control, two for informa-
tion display, and one for re control.
2.3.7 Navigation
The integrated navigational systems designated as PNS-
10, incorporating the A737 subsystem. The system is ca-
pable of utilizing both the GPS and GLONASS, but it is
rumored that Chinese is developing a similar system to
add the capability to utilize domestic BeiDou Navigation
Satellite System.
3
2.3.8 Airborne radar
Airborne radar on board Su-30MKK has been continu-
ously upgraded and a total of three were conrmed so
far, all of which are controlled by RLPK-27VE integrated
radar targeting system, developed from the RLPK-27 sys-
tem of single seat Su-27. Both systems are designed by
the famous designer Professor Viktor Konstantinovitch
Grishin of the Tikhomirov Scientic Research Institute
of Instrument Design (NIIP), and is compatible with var-
ious radar and weaponry systems.
N001VEP radar: The rst 20 Su-30MKK have
an N001VEP Passive electronically scanned array
(PESA) re-control radar designed by the Chief
designer Professor Viktor Konstantinovitch Grishin
of the Tikhomirov Scientic Research Institute of
Instrument Design (NIIP) with a range up to 100
km, able to concurrently track 10 targets, and en-
gage four air targets or two ground targets of the 10
tracked. The N001VEP is developed from the ear-
lier N001VE radar designed by the same designer,
which was used on J-11A. The original Baguet series
processor of N001VE radar is replaced by its suc-
cessor Baguet-55 series. Like its predecessor, the
new radar has incorporated the moving target indi-
cation (MTI) and mapping capabilities, and capabil-
ity to detect low ying / hovering helicopters. The
scan sector of N001VEP is 120 degrees while the
elevation is 110 degrees.
Zhuk (radar)-MS radar: From the 21st Su-30MKK
on, the N001VEP radar is replaced by Zhuk-
MS (Beetle-MS) re control radar of Tikhomirov
(NIIP)'s competitor, Phazotron (NIIR), which also
adopts a slotted planar array antenna like N001VEP
radar. The new radar has longer range coverage
(up to 150 km) and able to guide a greater variety
of weapons systems. The number of targets that
can be engaged is identical to that of N001VEP
radar, but the number of targets that can be simul-
taneously tracked has been doubled to 20. Zhuk
(Beetle)-MS radar is an improvement of the earlier
Zhuk (Beetle) radar designed for Su-27 and MiG-
29 upgrades, and incomparison to the original Zhuk
radar, Zhuk-MS has the following improvements in
addition to increased range and number of targets
tracked/engaged:
The diameter of antenna is increased to 960
mm from the original 680 mm of Zhuk (Bee-
tle) radar
The peak power is increased to 6 kW from the
original 5 kW of Zhuk (Beetle) radar
The average power is increased to 1.5 kW
from the original 1 kW of Zhuk (Beetle) radar
Contrary to many erroneous claims, Zhuk-MS
is not a phased array radar, but instead, with a
slotted planar array antenna.
4 2 DESIGN

Zhuk-MSE radar: Zhuk-MS has been replaced by
its successor, Zhuk-MSE in the incremental up-
grades of Su-30MKK, and previous Zhuk-MS are
being upgraded to the Zhuk-MSE level. In compar-
ison to Zhuk-MS radar, most performance parame-
ter remain the same, but the number of ground tar-
gets that can be simultaneously engaged is increased
to four from the original two. Like Zhuk-MS, this
radar has also been erroneously reported to be a
phased array radar when in fact, it utilizes a slot-
ted planar array antenna. Phazotron the designer has
claimed the new radar has better ECCM capabilities
than earlier radars.
At the 6th Zhuhai Airshow held in 2006, Russian de-
signers at a news conference revealed to Chinese jour-
nalists that they had been working with the Chinese to
develop a passive electronically scanned array radar to
upgrade Su-27SK and Su-30MKKs, but stopped short of
releasing any additional information. It is worth noting
that these Russian radar designers were in fact Phazotron
employees, not Tikhomirov, the usual radar supplier for
the Flanker family. Some domestic Chinese media have
claimed the phased array radar is the Zhuk-MSF, but this
has yet to be conrmed. It is also possible that the Chi-
nese may use the same radar used on its newest J-11bs
radar which will signicantly increase Su-30MKKs per-
formance, because J-11Bs radar will enable the Su-
30MKKs radars range up to 350 km, and allow it to en-
gage up to four air-to-air targets and four ground targets.
radar system, and it consists of two major
components:
OLS-30 (52Sh) Infra-red search and
track weighing 200 kg includes laser and
IR sensors. In comparison to its prede-
cessor OLS-27 (Izdeliye 36Sh) on Su-27,
the IR detection range nearly doubled to
> 90 km from the original 50 km. The
range of laser range nder is increased to
> 10 km from the original 6 km.
Sura-K helmet mounted system (HMS):
The eld of view (FoV) is greatly in-
creased to +/- 60 degrees in comparison
to the +/- 8 degrees of the ASP-PVD-21
HMS originally used on Su-27.
IFF and airborne radar are also controlled by
SUV-VEP system.
SUV-P: this air-to-ground subsystem utilizes iden-
tical hardware of SUV-VEP air-to-air subsystem,
but with a dierent processing requirement. This
subsystem is mainly used for air-to-surface missiles
such as Kh-59, and acts as an interface between the
system on board the aircraft and the designated tar-
geting pods of the air-to-surface missiles that can not
be controlled directly by the onboard avionics. The
primary subsystem of SUV-P system is SUO-30PK
subsystem and A-737 satellite navigational subsys-
tem.

2.3.9 Fire control system SUO-30PK weaponry control subsystem:

though Kh-31 is often controlled by SUV-
The re control system on board integrates the radar, op- VEP air-to-air system, it can also be controlled
tronics, helmet-mounted sight, electronic warfare gears via SUV-P system via SUO-30PK subsystem,
including radar warning receivers, and data links. The which can also control L-150 ELINT system.
system consists of two subsystems: the SUV-VEP air-to- SUO-30PK system also controls other missiles
air subsystem and the SUV-P air-to-ground subsystem. such as Kh-59, an air-to-ground missiles that
is controlled via Tekon targeting system in the
SUV-VEP: this air-to-air subsystem is capable of APK-9E pod. Other SUO-30PK subsystem
controlling six air-to-air missiles, which is greater is developed by Aviation Automation Design
than the maximum number of targets the airborne bureau at Kursk, and it can be used to control
radar on board Su-30MKK can simultaneously en- unguided air-to-ground weaponry.
gage, thus leaving rooms for radar improvement,
which would be later exploited when the new passive
electronically scanned array radars have been in- Both the SUV-VEP and SUV-P systems were adopted
stalled on Su-30MK2. The SUV-VEP subsystem to upgrade the single seat Su-27SK in Chinese inventory,
and a joint team of Tikhomirov Scientic Research Insti-
is also capable of controlling air-to-sea missions,
tute of Instrument Design (NIIP) and State Instrumenta-
and interestingly enough, the re control of Kh-31A
tion Plant at Ryazan was named as the primary contrac-
and Kh-35 anti-ship missiles are usually provided by
SUV-VEP air-to-air subsystem instead of SUV-P tor. The modied SUV-VEP system adopted to upgrade
air-to-ground subsystem. The subsystem of SUV- Chinese Su-27SK was designated as SUV-VE, while the
VEP system includes four major portions: modied SUV-P system adopted to upgrade Chinese Su-
27SK was designated as SUV-PE. The original analog
SEI-31-10 Integrated Display system: Used to dial indicator on ight dashboard of Su-27SK were re-
control LCD MFDs. placed by two 6 in x 6 in MFI-10-6M and a MFIP-6 LCD
OEPS-30 optronic (electro-optical) detection MFDs. According to Russian claim, over 60 Chinese Su-
system: Chinese call this system optronic 27SK have been upgraded by the end of 2006.
2.4 Su-30MK2 5

2.4 Su-30MK2 TV/Thermographic cameras, optical camera and

Side looking airborne radar. The side-looking radar
With its improved avionics, the MK2 was designed for has a maximum range in excess of 100 km with res-
more dedicated use as a maritime strike aircraft, thus olution of 2 metres, while the maximum range for
these aircraft ordered by China are currently being op- both IR and TV cameras are in excess of 70 km. The
erated by the Naval Air Force. The MK2 also features resolution of the TV/IR camera is 0.3 metre and 0.4
a better C4ISTAR (command, control, communications, metre for the optical camera. The system can also
computers, intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition be used to detect the blind spot behind the aircraft
and reconnaissance) abilities than the MKKs. to provide targeting information for rearward-ring
air-to-air missiles, but this capability has not been
utilized by the Chinese yet. The system is also ca-
2.4.1 Mission computer pable of locking on sea targets.
The original MVK mission computer is replaced by its Domestic Chinese optronics including FILAT and
successor MVK-RL, with greater capability. Blue Sky (navigation pod) can also be carried af-
ter modication of onboard system. Just like the
incorporation of domestic Chinese electronic war-
2.4.2 Communications fare pods such as BM/KG300G and KZ900 to
Su-30MKK, such modication was neither part of
The TKS-2 C3 system is replaced by the follow-on the original deal nor the upgrade deal with Rus-
TSIMSS-1 digital system.[6] sians, instead, this was implemented indigenously by
the Chinese themselves during the incremental up-
2.4.3 Flight instruments grades. According to Chinese claims, the domestic
upgrade of Su-30MKK/MK2 were much smoother
The two 178 127 mm (7 5 in) MFI-9 colour LCD and easier than that of earlier Su-27SK, thanks to the
MFDs in the front cockpit and the MFI-9 and the 204 western MIL-STD-1553 standard Russian adopted
152 mm (8 6 in) MFI-10 color LCD MFDs in the rear for Su-30MKK series.
cockpit are replaced with four 158 mm x 211 mm MFI-
10-5 LCD MFDs. The conguration of the new displays 2.4.5 Airborne radar
remains the same as that of Su-30MKK.
In 2000, China placed an order of passive electronically
scanned array radar named Sokol (Falcon), designed by
2.4.4 Optronics
Phazotron, while the radar was still under development,
it is reported that China had either partially funded or
One of the important avionic upgrades of Su-30MK2
joined the development, but this can not be conrmed.
is the incorporation of several electro-optical (optronics)
All twenty units were delivered in 2004 after the devel-
pods, a capability that is added to earlier Su-30MKK dur-
opment completed at the end of 2003, and the radars are
ing upgrades. Two types of Russian optronic pods are
installed on the Su-30MK2. The maximum range, aver-
sold to China for Su-30MK2, but the open architecture
age and peak power of Sokol radar remain the same as
and other advanced designs enabled the aircraft to carry
that of Zhuk-MSE radar on Su-30MKK, but the maxi-
domestic optronic pods as well. This capability of Su-
mum number of targets it can simultaneously track actu-
30MK2 has been added to the original Su-30MKKs dur-
ally decreased by 40%, from the original 20 to 12. How-
ing the incremental upgrades. The Russian optronic pods
ever, the number of targets it can simultaneously engage
included:
is increased to six from the original four, thus fully uti-
lizing the capability of the SUV-VEP subsystem of the
Optronic pod Sapsan-E: Sapsan (peregrine fal- onboard re control system. The diameter of the antenna
con)-E targeting pod developed by the Ural Opti- array is increased to 980 mm from the 960 mm of Zhuk-
cal Machinery Plant weighs 250 kg, with length of MS/MSE. The scan sector of the radar is 170 degrees
3 m and diameter of 0.39 m. Field of view is from and the elevation of the scan is from 40 degrees to +56
+10 degrees to 15 degrees, and the system includes degrees. The radar has three receivers and a gain of 37
TV camera and laser designators. This system is de- dB. When used against surface targets like a destroyer,
signed to supplement the OEPS-30MK-E optronic the maximum range is doubled to 300 km, same as that
system mounted in the nose of the aircraft. of American AN/APG-68. There is not any conrma-
M400 reconnaissance pod: M400 reconnaissance tion for any follow-on orders of Sokol radar and unlike
pod developed by the Canopy Design Bureau is a the capability optronic pod, this radar capability is not
large pod mounted between two engines. In com- known to be added to the earlier Su-30MKKs during the
parison to Sapsan-E targeting pod, there is dier- incremental upgrades.
ent equipment in the M400 reconnaissance pod: In early 2000s, Russia had authorized the export of Pero
6 3
passive electronically scanned array radar designed by
Tikhomirov, to China. The Pero antenna can be easily
integrated into the existing N001VEP radar system with
no signicant modication by simply replacing the origi-
nal slotted planar array, and thus results in increased per-
formance. The Pero upgrade, lets the radar simultane-
ously engage 6 aerial targets, or 4 ground targets. The
radar with Pero antenna is named as Panda radar. China,
however, did not accept the oer when Russia oered
the Pero upgrade package because Tikhomirovs com-
petitor Phazotron oered China a brand new phased ar-
ray radar that supposedly performed better, rumored to
be Zhuk-MSF. In addition to the easy of integration, the
advantage of Pero passive electronically scanned array
equipped Panda radar was its weight. All other radars
oered for Su-30MK2 upgrade increase weight signi-
cantly that the center of the gravity of the aircraft is al-
tered, resulting in the need to modify the airframe and re-
design the ight control system. Such problems does not
exist if Panda radar is adopted because it only increases
the weight by a mere 20 kg, which will be compensated by
the redesign of SILS-30 HUD to reduce its weight by 20
kg, thus balancing out the weight increase of the radar.
This claim of Timkhomirov design bureau is conrmed
by both the Sukhoi design bureau and Russkaya Avionika
bureau, which claimed to media reporters at 2006 Zhuhai
Airshow in China that such modication had already been
successfully completed. China, however, had not made
a nal decision by the end of 2007, and many Russian
and Chinese sources have claimed that domestic Chinese
HUDs of Western origin perform better and weigh much
less, and China thus planned to adopt their own avionics
in the next incremental upgrade, but such claims have yet
to be conrmed by western sources and ocial sources
of Chinese and Russian governments.
In response, Tikhomirov subsequently oered China its
N-011M Bars passive electronically scanned array radar,
the most powerful Russian airborne radar on any of its ex-
ported aircraft, but China once again rejected the oer.
Many claimed that the reason for the rejection was that
Chinese discovered the same problem India had during
the evaluation of the radar: although the N-011M Bars
passive electronically scanned array radar oered longer
range and better resistance to jamming, it had the prob-
lem of accurately and correct identifying targets at long
range, while others claims China simply did not want the
same system used by India. However, both claims contra-
dict with the ocial explanation of the Chinese govern-
ment: the new radar weighs more than 650 kg and caused
the center of gravity of the aircraft to alter signicantly,
thus greatly degraded the aerodynamic performance and
weapon payload arrangement of the Su-30MKK, which is
far less adaptable to the new heavy radar than Su-30MKI,
because the two were based on two totally dierent air-
frames, a fact that is conrmed by Janes all the Worlds
Aircraft. If the new radar was to be adopted, canards must
be added and ight control software must be also modi-
ed for Su-30MKK just to remain the same level of per-
OPERATORS
formance as before, and thus, in addition of paying for
the more expensive new radars, a huge amount of money
must be spent in upgrading the aircraft as well.
2.5 Su-30MK3
The MKK3 was to possibly feature either the Phazotron
Zhuk-MSF phased array radar, or a new Panda radar
developed by Tikhomirov, which is based on Pero pas-
sive phased array radar, both were rumored to be under
Chinese evaluation. Either radar would signicantly im-
prove the Su-30s air target detection range to 190 km
and surface detection range at 300 km. It is uncertain
whether the PLAN or PLAAF would order any of these
aircraft, despite their signicant advantages with their ad-
vanced radars. Therefore, if these radars passed Chinese
tests, they will likely to be retrotted to earlier MKK and
MKK2 and even possibly Shenyang J-11 due to uncertain
status of MKK3 project.
In January 2007, Russia conrmed that the newest Irbis-E
(Snow leopard-E) phased array radar in Russias inven-
tory, developed by Tikhomirov, was oered to China.
However, it is highly unlikely that China will adopt this
newest Russian airborne radar because all models of the
Su-30 series can only provide half of the power required
for the 5 kW rated radar, and currently, only Sukhoi
Su-35 and Sukhoi Su-37 have enough power to support
this newest Russian airborne radar. Purchasing Irbis-E
phased array radar would lock China into yet another deal
with Russia to upgrade its Su-30MKK eet that would
greatly increase the cost, because China currently lacks
the ability to do so by itself, or is forced to pay even higher
prices to buy the Su-35 or Su-37.
3 Operators
Peoples Republic of China
Peoples Liberation Army Air Force had 73 Su-
30MKK ghters in service in 2010.[7] 76 were deliv-
ered in 20002003. Introduced into service with the
PLAAF Flight Test & Training Base at Cangzhou
Air Force Base, Hebei Province (19 examples), the
3rd Air Division / 9th Fighter Regiment based at
Wuhu air base, Anhui Province (19 examples), 18th
Air Division at Datuopu air base (19 examples),
Changsha, Hunan Province and 29th Air Division
at Quzhou air base (19 examples).[8] Su-30MKK is
the rst Chinese ghter jet to fully adapt radar active
homing air-to-air missile, it is capable of launching
R-77E missile.[9]
Peoples Liberation Army Naval Air Force had
24 Su-30MK2s in service in 2010.[7] Delivered in
2004, they were operated by the 4th Division / 10th
3.1 Potential operators 7

Fighter Regiment based at Feidong air base, Zhe- Vietnam

jiang Province.[8]

Vietnam Peoples Air Force had 24 Su-30MK2 in

service in 2012. 60 are to be delivered by the
end of 2016. Additional 100 will be produced lo-
cally by the end of 2018 with Russian technical
assistance.[10]

3.1 Potential operators

Bangladesh

Bangladesh Air Force is negotiating with Russia for

Indonesian Air Force Su-30MK2 16 Sukhoi Su-30MK2

Indonesia
4 Specications (Su-30MKK)
Indonesian Air Force had 3 Su-30MK2 in service in
2009.[10] Additional 6 aircraft have been delivered
in 2013.[11]

Data from KNAAPO[14]

General characteristics
Uganda Peoples Defence Force Su-30MK2
Crew: 2
Length: 21.9 m (72 ft 0 in)
Uganda
Wingspan: 14.7 m (48 ft 3 in)

Uganda Peoples Defence Force had 6 Su-30MK2 in Height: 6.36 m (20.85 ft)
service in 2012. Following signing of the contract in Loaded weight: 24,900 kg (54,900 lb)
May 2012, deliveries were completed within twelve
months. Price tag for the six ghters was settled at Max. takeo weight: 34,500 kg (76,100 lb)
US$740 million.[12]
Powerplant: 2 Lyulka AL-31F turbofans, 123
kN (27,600 lbf)[15] each
Venezuela
Performance

Venezuelan Air Force had 24 Su-30MK2 in ser- Maximum speed: Mach 2 (2,120 km/h)[16] (1,140
vice in 2008.[10] One of Venezuelas planes crashed kn, 1,320 mph) at altitude
on a drug interdiction mission on September 18,
2015.[13] Range: 3,000 km[17] (1,600 nmi, 1,900 mi)
8 6 REFERENCES

Service ceiling: 17,300 m (56,800 ft) Sukhoi Su-35

Rate of climb: 305 m/s[17] (18,300 m/min[17] ) Sukhoi Su-37

Thrust/weight: 1.00 Shenyang J-16

Maximum g-load: +9 g Aircraft of comparable role, conguration and era

Takeo run: 550 m (1,800 ft) F-15E Strike Eagle

Euroghter Typhoon
Armament
Dassault Rafale

Guns: 1 GSh-30-1 gun (30 mm caliber, 150 Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet
rounds)
Related lists
Rockets: Various unguided rockets

Missiles: List of ghter aircraft

Air-to-surface missiles: 6 References

Kh-31P anti-radiation missiles
Kh-29T and Kh-59ME TV guided mis-
siles
Air-to-air missiles:
R-73 short-range infrared-guided mis-
siles
R-27 medium-ranged semi-active radar-
and infrared-guided missiles
R-77E active radar-guided missiles
Bombs:
KAB-500L laser-guided bombs
[1] MKK stands for Russian Mnogofunktzionniy Kom-
mercheskiy Kitayski (Cyrillic:
), Multifunctional Commer-
cial for China.
[2] Wei, Bai (May 2012). A Flanker by any other name.
Air Forces Monthly (290): 7277.
[3] Ladu, Ismail Musa (23 September 2012). Russia Says
Uganda To Buy Six More Jets. Daily Monitor (Kampala).
Retrieved 24 March 2015.
[4] Ondieki, Daniel (3 April 2013). Su-30 Fighter Aircraft
Well Ahead In Air Supremacy. Business Daily Africa
(Nairobi). Retrieved 24 March 2015.

KAB-1500L laser-guided bombs [5] Obituary for Ukrainian defense industry. RIA Novosti.
Retrieved 4 July 2008.
Various unguided bombs
[6] http://www.afcea.org/signal/articles/templates/
Avionics SIGNAL_Article_Template.asp?articleid=992&
zoneid=7

[7] Hacket, James, ed. (2010). The Military Balance 2010.

1 NIIP N001VEP re-control radar International Institute for Strategic Studies. Missing or
empty |title= (help)
Sorbtsiya ECM pods
[8] Su-30MKK Multi Role Aircraft. SinoDefence.com.
Retrieved 16 December 2012.
5 See also [9] Su-30MKK ghter jet in Chinese PLAAF. AirForce-
World.com. 5 June 2013.
Related development
[10] Su-27 Flanker Operators List. MILAVIA.NET. 27
November 2011. Retrieved 15 January 2012.
Sukhoi Su-30
[11] Indonesia buys Russian jet ghters in $500 mln contract.
Sukhoi Su-30MKI Russia Today. 10 January 2012. Retrieved 10 January
2012.
Sukhoi Su-30MKM
[12] Uganda receives nal Su-30s from Russia. de-
Sukhoi Su-34 fence.professionals. Retrieved 19 December 2012.
 9

[13] Venezuela says ghter jet crashes after entry of 'illicit'

plane, Reuters via Daily Mail, September 18,2015

[14] The Su-30MK Multipurpose Double-seat Tandem

Fighter. KNAAPO. Retrieved 16 January 2007.

[15] Originally measured as 12,500 kgf.

[16] http://knaapo.ru/eng/products/military/su30mk.wbp

[17] Su-30MKK Specications SinoDefence.com

7 External links
Sukhoi Su-30MK Su-30MKM ghter aircraft(Air
recognition)
10 8 TEXT AND IMAGE SOURCES, CONTRIBUTORS, AND LICENSES

8 Text and image sources, contributors, and licenses

8.1 Text
Sukhoi Su-30MKK Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sukhoi_Su-30MKK?oldid=684917772 Contributors: Rmhermen, Altenmann,
Quadell, Karl Dickman, N328KF, Foobaz, Vedant, Gene Nygaard, BD2412, MWAK, Russavia, N22YF, Arado, John Smiths, Bul-
lzeye, Nick-D, Deepdraft, SmackBot, Chris the speller, MalafayaBot, Ohconfucius, Willy turner, Henrickson, CmdrObot, Jim101,
ShelfSkewed, Cydebot, Fnlayson, Aldis90, Seng Yew, Dickhooker, Dawnseeker2000, Archerblack, Ericoides, Bzuk, Magioladitis, Mon-
shuai, VoABot II, Buckshot06, BilCat, CeeWhy2, R'n'B, CommonsDelinker, Nono64, Aquanaut 2000, Tatrgel, Bogdan~enwiki, ThePoint-
blank, ChowHui, Indubitably, Fsmatovu, TXiKiBoT, GimmeBot, SieBot, Lrguy, Iaroslavvs, Segregator236, Imperial Horseman, ImageR-
emovalBot, Niceguyedc, Homan05, SchreiberBike, Staygyro, Retxham, Nem1yan, TaalVerbeteraar, Uberchump, Heavens Army, Addbot,
Magus732, Daredevil555, Fireaxe888, Scatter2000, Lightbot, Yobot, Legobot II, AnomieBOT, Julnap, Citation bot, Chen Guangming,
Midgetman433, FrescoBot, Kyteto, D'ohBot, Pilotman94, Adeptus23, Zulhelpme, Full-date unlinking bot, 777sms, EmausBot, Sp33dyphil,
Rohitolympus, Midas02, Ltr,ftw, L1A1 FAL, EdoBot, Chesipiero, Karan1974, Widr, BG19bot, RovingPersonalityConstruct, Frze, Dok-
ientrung, Crusaderjaixon, Adnan bogi, Makecat-bot, Cidician, Redalert2fan, SomeFreakOnTheInternet, Krasnokrai, Brandonion1985,
Tamlinwah, SukhoiT50PAKFA, JAaron95, ASF-14, Monkbot, Engeneer2014, SADHEEDH UMAR, RadicalDisconnect, Kunal Naren-
dra Sarkar, FE53BW, Anonymoustofu, Abdullah.Ebna.Zahid and Anonymous: 107

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File:Commons-logo.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg License: ? Contributors: ? Original
artist: ?
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domain Contributors: http://www.dcaa.com.bd/Modules/CountryProfile/BangladeshFlag.aspx Original artist: User:SKopp
File:Flag_of_Indonesia.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9f/Flag_of_Indonesia.svg License: Public do-
main Contributors: Law: s:id:Undang-Undang Republik Indonesia Nomor 24 Tahun 2009 (http://badanbahasa.kemdiknas.go.id/
lamanbahasa/sites/default/files/UU_2009_24.pdf) Original artist: Drawn by User:SKopp, rewritten by User:Gabbe
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tors: From the Open ClipArt Library website. Original artist: tobias
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main Contributors: http://vbqppl.moj.gov.vn/law/vi/1951_to_1960/1955/195511/195511300001 http://vbqppl.moj.gov.vn/vbpq/Lists/
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