Russia is accelerating the modernisation of its combat aviation arsenal, in particular, Su-30SM2 fighters.
It is possible that one of the tasks of these aircraft will be to counteract the F-16 fighters that will be provided to Ukraine by the allies. This was reported to LB.ua by sources in the Defence Forces.
The modernisation of 12 Su-30SM2 aircraft is taking place at the 929th State Flight Test Centre in Akhtubinsk. Six aircraft are being prepared for the Aerospace Forces, and six more for the Navy's naval aviation. Yakovlev Public Joint-Stock Company is working to fulfil the requirements of the Russian Aerospace Forces' Main Command.
In total, the Russian Aerospace Forces are armed with: 80 Su-30SMs, 19 Su-30SM2s, and 19 Su-30SMs and at least eight Su-30SM2s in the Navy. In 2023, two Su-30SM2 aircraft were transferred to the Navy.
"In the course of the work, the onboard electronic equipment is being improved, in particular: control equipment, target designators, radiation warning stations, onboard video surveillance and recording systems. In addition, radio altimeters, onboard graphics systems, television signal conversion and switching units, communication and information conversion units, onboard digital computers, collimator indicators, integrated engine regulators, and radar control systems are being upgraded. Given that it is mainly electronic equipment that is to be upgraded, it is possible that one of the tasks of these aircraft will be to counteract the F-16 multi-role fighters that will enter service with the Ukrainian Air Force," the sources said.
- The Su-30SM2 is a fourth-generation Russian two-seat multi-role fighter, Militarnyy wrote. This is the latest version of the modernisation. The aircraft is capable of carrying up to ten missile and bomb weapons, is equipped with a 30mm automatic cannon with a 150-round ammunition package of high-explosive fragmentation munitions, and has a total payload of 4,000 kg.