The newest fighter type in the Russian Armed Forces inventory, the Su-30SM2, has been intensively combat tested since it began to enter service in early 2022, with the outbreak of full scale hostilities between Russia and Ukraine just weeks after it became operational providing significant opportunities to further refine operational tactics.
New details on the fighter’s performance in the theatre have been provided by the Russian state arms export conglomerate Rostec, which reported: “Aircraft of this type have confirmed their effectiveness in the special military operation.
They have a record of hundreds of destroyed aerial and ground targets, including Patriot systems.” “Thanks to its powerful radar, the Su-30SM2 can ‘see’ farther and more accurately, which facilitates the crew’s operation.
In turn, its advanced electronic warfare system allows the fighter to effectively counter enemy air-launched weapons,” the report added.
Russian Navy Su-30SM2 Fighter
The Su-30SM first entered service in the Russian Air Force in 2012, following the termination of the ambitious Soviet MiG 1.42 fifth generation fighter program in 2001, and major delays to the more conservative Su-57 fifth generation program. The aircraft was developed as an enhanced derivative of the USSR’s most capable fighter type the Su-27 air superiority fighter, and directly replaced Soviet built Su-27s in frontline roles.
American Buddhist Net 