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Sukhoi Su-30

The Sukhoi Su-30 is a Russian twin-engine, two-seat multirole fighter aircraft developed from the Su-27 family.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Sukhoi Su-30 is a Russian twin-engine, two-seat multirole fighter aircraft developed from the Su-27 family. Designed for long-range air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, it is known for supermaneuverability and all-weather capability. The type has several major variants, including export and upgraded domestic versions, and remains in service and production in the 2020s.

Development

The Su-30 was developed in the Soviet Union in the 1980s as an evolution of the Su-27, but it became a distinct aircraft family. It added a second crew member and improved range and mission flexibility.

Design

The Su-30 is a twin-engine, two-seat fighter with multirole capability and supermaneuverability. Sources describe it as suitable for long-range missions and all-weather operations.

Variants

The Su-30 family includes several variants such as the Su-30MKI, Su-30MKK, and Su-30MK2. These versions were tailored for different users and mission requirements, including export customers.

Operational use

The Su-30 has been used by the Russian Aerospace Forces and multiple foreign air forces. Public sources note continuing service and active fleet use into the 2020s. The Russian Aerospace Forces were reported to operate 130 Su-30SM aircraft as of 2024.

Key facts

  • The Sukhoi Su-30 is a twin-engine, two-seat multirole fighter derived from the Su-27 family.
  • It is supermaneuverable and capable of all-weather operations.
  • The Su-30 family includes multiple variants for different export and domestic users.
  • The aircraft remains in service and production in the 2020s, with the Russian Aerospace Forces operating 130 Su-30SM aircraft as of 2024.
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Canadian context

The Su-30 is relevant to Canadian readers mainly as a widely used multirole fighter in global military aviation and as a comparator aircraft in air-power analysis.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Sukhoi Su-30?
It is a Russian twin-engine, two-seat multirole fighter aircraft derived from the Su-27 family.
What is the Su-30 used for?
It is used for air superiority, interception, and strike missions, including long-range multirole operations.
Is the Su-30 still in service?
Yes. Public sources describe it as still in service and in production in the 2020s.
How many crew does the Su-30 have?
The Su-30 is normally operated by two crew members seated in tandem.
What is the NATO reporting name for the Su-30?
NATO reporting names associated with Su-30 variants include Flanker-C, Flanker-G, and Flanker-H.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sukhoi_Su-30
    Supports: Core identification, development history, role, NATO reporting names, and 2024 Russian Aerospace Forces fleet note.
  2. Military Factory — https://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft/detail.php?aircraft_id=698
    Supports: Su-30 derived from the Su-27, two-seat layout, mult-mission design, datalinking, and endurance.
  3. Wikipédia — https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soukho%C3%AF_Su-30
    Supports: Confirmation that the Su-30 is a multirole Soviet/Russian combat aircraft still in production in the 2020s.
  4. Viquipèdia — https://ca.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sukhoi_Su-30
    Supports: Twin-engine, two-seat description and long-range air-superiority/interdiction role.
  5. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sukhoi_Su-30MKK
    Supports: Variant family examples and the existence of export-derived versions.
  6. Airforce Technology — https://airforce-technology.com/projects/su-30mki-multirole-fighter-aircraft-india/
    Supports: Su-30MKI as a jointly developed multirole variant for the Indian Air Force.