Article Posted on : - Nov 23, 2012

The new Su-30SM. A Sukhoi photo

MOSCOW (BNS): The Russian Air Force has received two new Su-30SM multirole fighter aircraft from Irkut Corporation.

The modern two-seat super-manoeuverable combat jets, designed by Sukhoi and manufactured by the Irkutsk Aviation Plant, were delivered to the Air Force at the Irkutsk aviation plant - a branch of JSC Irkut Corporation, on Nov. 22.

The Su-30SM, a further development of the Su-30MK combat aircraft family (supplied to India), had made its maiden flight in September this year.

The new fighter jet has been designed as per the requirements of the Russian Air Force in terms of radar system, radio and recognition system, ejection seats and a number of support systems. The weaponry configuration has also been changed.

The aircraft is capable of air-to-air and air-to-ground missions with a wide variety of precision-guided munitions. It features thrust-vectoring engines to enhance manoeuverability.

The Russian Defence Ministry had signed a contract with Irkut Corporation in March 2012 for the delivery of 30 Su-30SM multirole fighters to Russian military.

Delivery of the modern jets is slated to be completed by 2015.

Meanwhile, Irkut has also delivered the second batch of Yak-130 combat jet trainers to the Russian Air Force.

The company handed over three Yak-130s to the Air Force on Nov. 20. The first 6 Yak-130 jets were delivered between Oct. 5 and 9 this year.

The new jets are actively operating at the Borisoglebsk training center, Irkut said.

The Russian Defence Ministry has ordered a total of 55 Yak-130 subsonic two-seat advanced trainer jets/light attack aircraft for the country's Air Force.