Indo-Pacific Flankers: Su-27/30 variants in the Indo-Pacific region

The Sukhoi Su-27 ‘Flanker’ was developed and deployed by the Soviet Union during the 1980s, to serve as a heavy payload, high endurance air-superiority fighter. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the Flanker family saw considerable export success, followed by enhanced Su-30 and Su-35 variants. The advanced combat capabilities of this modern twin-engine fighter, and the affordable price and flexibility offered by the Russian defence industry, proved attractive to a number of Indo-Pacific nations. Below I will cover the capabilities and load-outs, as well as current fleet numbers, of some of the variations of the Flanker family that have been exported to or produced in the Indo-Pacific region.

 

Introduction to the Flanker family

The Flanker family is one of the most widely produced and operated aircraft in the world, with variants manufactured in the Soviet Union, two separate Russian factories – ‘Irkutsk Aviation Industrial Association (IAPO)’ and ‘Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Plant (KnAAPO)’, under license in India and previously China (replaced by unlicensed and enhanced Chinese derivatives). The Ukrainian ‘Zaporozhye State Aircraft Repair Plant’ and Belarusian ‘Baranovichi 558 Aircraft Repair Plant’ are also capable of overhaul and upgrading the Flanker. Customized models have been produced for Algeria, India, China, Venezuela, Vietnam, and Malaysia – with some custom models later entering Russian service following domestication with Russian avionics. Single or double seat, the presence of canards, thrust vectoring capability, and radar or avionics fit-out are some of the key differences across the various Flankers. The specifications of the original Soviet-production Su-27S are as follows[1],[2]:

Wingspan: 14.7m

Length: 21.93m

Height: 5.93m

Weight:

Empty – 16,300 kg

Normal Load – 22,500 kg

Maximum Take-off – 30,000 kg

Maximum speed:

Sea-level – 1,380 km/h

High Altitude – 2,500 km/h

Range:

Sea-level – 1,340 km

High Altitude – 3,530 km

Flight Ceiling: 18.5 km

Fuel Capacity: 9,400 kg

Engine: 2x AL-31F

Avionics: PNK-10 flight navigation system, SPO-15 ‘Bereza’ radar warning receiver (RWR), SUV-27 Weapons Control System utilising:

RLPK-27 sighting system with N001 radar

OEPS-27 infrared search and track (IRST)

Armament: 1x GSh-30-1 30mm automatic cannon, 4,430 kg of ordnance on 10 hardpoints:

            4x R-73 infrared air-to-air missiles (AAM)

6x R-27R/R-27ER semi-active radar AAM or R-27T/R-27ET infrared AAM

            FAB-500/FAB-250/ OFAB-100-120 unguided bombs

            ZB-500 incendiary bomb

            KMGU sub-munition dispenser

            S-8/S-13/S-25 unguided rockets

 

Indo-Pacific Flanker Fleets

China

Naval Aviation: 72 J-11B/BS, 34 J-15, 24 Su-30MK2[3]

PLAAF: 95 J-11, 32 Su-27UBK, 130 J-11B/BS, 150+ J-16, 73 Su-30MKK, 24 Su-35[4]

Indonesia

2 Su-27SK, 3 Su-27SKM, 2 Su-30MK, 9 Su-30MK2[5]

India

263 Su-30MKI[6]

Malaysia

18 Su-30MKM[7]

Vietnam

6 Su-27SK, 3 Su-27UBK, 35 Su-30MK2[8], 2 Su-27PU[9]

Myanmar

2 (+4 on order) Su-30SME[10]

 

Variants in the Indo-Pacific

Su-27SK(J-11)/Su-27UBK

Single seat export variant of the Su-27S, with a focus on air-superiority. The Chinese J-11 is a version assembled from ‘knock-down’ kits supplied by the Russian Federation[11]. The aircraft is powered by two AL-31F turbofans. Air-to-ground and air-to-air loadout is the same as the Su-27S[12]. The J-11 was initially supplied with downgraded N001E radars, however, the third and final batch of original J-11/Su-27SK were supplied with N001VE radars that enabled firing of the more advanced R-77 active radar guided missile[13]. Indonesian Su-27SK also use the N001VE radar, and were fitted with an in-flight refuelling probe to enable air-to-air refuelling from tanker aircraft[14]. The Su-27UBK is a twin-seat training variant with duplicate controls for the rear pilot, whilst still retaining the combat-capabilities of the single-seat variant[15].

 

Su-27SKM/Su-27UBM

An upgrade program from KnAAPO for the export Su-27SK/UBK to provide multi-role capability, derived from the domestic Su-27SM. The aircraft is fitted with the upgraded SUV-VEP1 weapons control system utilizing the RLPK-27VEP1 sighting system with N001VEP radar, allowing for the R-77 AAM, as well the OEPS-27MK IRST and Sura-K helmet mounted display (HMD)[16]. An air-to-ground channel was added to the radar system allowing the use of the Kh-31A anti-ship missile (AShM), whilst the SUV-PE air-to-ground weapons control system allows for deployment of the Kh-31P anti-radiation missile (ARM), Kh-29T electro-optical (EO) air-to-surface missiles (ASM), and the KAB-500Kr and KAB-1500Kr EO guided bombs[17]. In addition, the newer L-150 ‘Pastel’ RWR replaced the SPO-15[18].

Su-27PU(Su-30)

 

The Su-27PU, later renamed the Su-30, was the twin-seat variant of the air-to-air only interceptor version of the Su-27, the Su-27P. The Su-30 was improved through the addition of in-flight refuelling capabilities, improved communications gear and cockpit avionics, and an additional seat for a Weapon Systems Officer to provide command and communications to single-seat Su-27P aircraft[19].

 

Su-30MKK

The Su-30MKK was an export focused model from KnAAPO, designed to fill Chinese demand for a multi-role capable Flanker. Upgrades over the original Su-30 are similar in efficiency to the Su-27SKM; they include the SUV-VE air-to-air weapons control system utilizing the OEPS-30 IRST and RLPK-27VE sighting system with Sura-K HMD and N001VE radar - enabling carriage of the R-77 AAM. The SUV-P air-to-ground weapons control system allows for deployment of the Kh-31P ARM, Kh-29T EO ASM, and the KAB-500Kr and KAB-1500Kr EO guided bombs[20]. Avionics upgrades include the L-150 RWR and adoption of Western-standard MIL-STD-1553 data bus. The Su-30MKK also incorporated airframe upgrades including two additional hardpoints, larger tail assembly, increased internal fuel capacity, and general airframe reinforcements increasing maximum take-off weight to 38,800 kg (although it is recommended not to exceed 34,500 kg in operational settings)[21].

 

Su-30MK2

An upgraded iteration of the Su-30MKK from KnAAPO that provides enhanced maritime strike capabilities. The core of this upgrade is the SUV-VEP weapons control system utilizing the OEPS-27MK IRST and RLPK-27VEP sighting system featuring the upgraded N001VEP radar – the addition of an air-to-ground channel provides sea-search capability and the ability to deploy the Kh-31A and Kh-59MK AShMs[22]. The aircraft is capable of deploying laser-guided munitions including the KAB-500/1500L bombs and Kh-29L ASM. The Su-30MK2 also includes an updated mission computer and communications system.

 

Su-35S

The Su-35 is an advanced single-seat, air-superiority descendant of the original Su-27 from KnAAPO. It features a range of upgrades over the original Su-27 in both airframe and avionics. The core of the new avionics suite is the KPrNO-35 fire-control and navigation system including the N035 Irbis-E passive electronically scanned array (PESA) radar and OLS-35 IRST, in addition to a range of communications and avionics upgrades[23]. The electronic warfare (EW) suite is based on an improved L-150-35 ‘Pastel’ RWR system and the L175M10-35S ‘Khibiny-M’ countermeasure suite. The Russian NSTs-T-04 HMD replaces the Ukrainian-manufactured Sura-M[24]. Airframe upgrades include advanced thrust vectoring AL-41F-1S engines, structural lightening and frame reinforcement to improve internal fuel storage and boost munitions load to 8,000kg, an improved fly-by-wire system, and radar-absorbing coating[25]. It can also carry the same range of air-to-ground, anti-ship, and air-to-air munitions as the Su-30MK2.

 

Su-30MKI

An export focused model from IAPO for the Indian Air Force that incorporates a large number of Western and Indian produced avionics and sub-systems, as well as significant airframe modifications compared to the KnAAPO line of Flankers. The most obvious difference is the addition of canards located behind the cockpit which, in combination with thrust-vectoring AL-31FP engines, provided the aircraft with excellent manoeuvrability. Cockpit improvements include the Israeli Elbit 967 Heads Up Display (HUD) and French Sagem SIGMA 95 navigation system[26] with Indian provided multi-function displays, identification friend-and-foe systems, mission computer, and communication systems[27]. The EW suite comprises the domestic ‘Tarang’ RWR[28], Elbit EL/M-8222 jamming pods[29], and X-Guard towed decoy[30]. The aircraft is fitted with the Russian N011M Bars PESA radar and OLS-30 IRST for target detection and tracking, and the Israeli LITENING targeting pod for air-to-ground targeting[31]. The aircraft can carry the same load weapons loadout as the Su-30MK2/Su-35S in addition to a range of domestically developed missiles such as the Astra Mk1 active-radar AAM[32], Rudram-1 ARM[33], and BrahMos-A AShM[34].

 

Su-30MKM

An IAPO export model designed for the Royal Malaysian Air Force. Derived from the Su-30MKI, this model differs only in on-board avionics, with Israeli and Indian sub-systems replaced by French, Russian, and South African alternatives. These include the CTH3022 HUD, IFF, NAVFLIR navigation aid, and DAMOCLES targeting pod from Thales; whilst SAAB South Africa provided the MAW300 Missile Approach Warning System and LWS310 Laser Warning System[35]. Russian replacement systems mainly covered the EW suite, including the L-150-30 ‘Pastel’ RWR and SAP518M jamming pods, as well as other minor avionics[36].

 

Su-30SME

The export Su-30MKI/MKM line was later developed by IAPO into the Su-30SM model for the Russian Air Force, with the majority of Western avionics replaced by Russian systems – although retaining cockpit multi-function displays and the CTH3022 HUD from Thales, as well as the Sagem SIGMA 95 navigation system[37]. This model was later modified again for export as the Su-30SME with an all-Russian avionics suite, most likely the IKSh-1M HUD and BINS-SP2 navigation system from the Su-35S.

 

J-11B/J-11BS

The J-11B (the J-11BS is the twin-seat trainer) is a Chinese manufactured variant of the J-11 incorporating a range of domestically produced Chinese upgrades. These include the Type 1493 radar, an ARINC429 data bus, indigenous IRST, Missile Approach Warning System and ECM suite, and glass cockpit[38]. The aircraft is also capable of firing Chinese air-to-air missiles like the short-range PL-8 and beyond-visual range PL-12, and possibly the newer generation of AAMs such as the PL-10 and PL-15[39]. Although initially built with Russian AL-31F engines, the majority of J-11Bs were equipped with Chinese produced WS-10A or WS-10B engines[40].

 

J-11BG

An upgrade program for J-11B, so far little has been confirmed about the capabilities of this variant. Rumoured to be equipped with an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, the PL-10 short-range AAM and PL-15 BVR AAM, enhanced EW capabilities, and an updated cockpit.

 

J-15/J-15S

The People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force’s carrier-borne fighter, the J-15 (and its twin-seat version the J-15S), are said to be derived from a prototype of the Soviet Su-33 carrier-borne Flanker, acquired from Ukraine in 2001[41]. It is easily identifiable by its folding wings and canards. It is powered by the Russian AL-31F, and carries the same avionics and weapons loadout as the J-11B[42]. The J-15 is designed for Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery operations from the Type 001/Type 002 Carriers, however Catapult Assisted Take-Off capable variants are in development for use on the Type 003 Carrier[43].

 

J-16

The J-16 is a Chinese manufactured twin-seat strike Flanker, roughly analogous to the Su-30MKK/MK2 family. The J-16 is fitted with a complete set of Chinese avionics including a powerful AESA radar[44], as well as WS-10B engines[45]. It can carry a range of Chinese air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles such as the PL-10 and PL-15 AAMs, KD-88A ASM, YJ-83K AShM, YJ-91 ARM, as well the YINGS-III targeting and KL700A ECM pods[46]. 

 

Flankers and the RAAF

The many variants of the Flanker family operating in the Indo-Pacific region are some of the most capable combat aircraft that the RAAF could expect to face in, and by far the most numerous. The RAAFs mix of highly capable F/A-18/F Super Hornets strike fighters and F-35A Lightning stealth jets, supported by EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft, E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control aircraft, and KC-30A tanker aircraft make for one of the strongest combat air forces in the Indo-Pacific. Only the Chinese and Indian Air Forces can boast a comparable number of combat airframes and supporting capabilities. Gaining a better understanding of the Flankers capabilities could help prepare the RAAF against an aircraft that will no doubt play a role in any possible combat operations in the Indo-Pacific.

 

Whilst currently poor relations with the PRC prelude any military-to-military engagement between the RAAF and China’s Flanker fleet, beyond hostile in-air encounters over the South China Sea[47], the RAAF can and has exercised with other Flanker operators. The RAAFs own Exercise Pitch Black has brought Flankers to Australia’s shores on multiple occasions for training alongside RAAF aircraft. Pitch Black 2012 brought 2 Su-27SK and 2 Su-30MK2 from Indonesia to participate in training against the No. 1 Squadron’s Super Hornets[48]. 4 Indian Air Force Su-30MKIs have made appearances in both 2018[49] and 2022[50], allowing the RAAF to get a feel for some of the more-capable Flanker variants.

 

The presence of the Flanker at 3/5 Pitch Black Exercises in the past 10 years is a good sign, although there is still room for increased engagement with Indo-Pacific Flanker operators. Working to bring the Vietnamese to Pitch Black for the first time, and pushing for the return of Indonesia's Flankers, could allow a larger number of RAAF units and pilots to be exposed to the capabilities of Flanker variants that also serve with the PRC. The RAAF could also push to deepen engagement with its fellow quad partner India, perhaps engaging with exercises in India like the US-India Cope India Exercise or the UK-India Indradhanush, to gain a better understanding of how Flankers are employed with their supporting assets. Increased exposure to the tactics and equipment of other Air Forces in the Indo-Pacific can only benefit the RAAF.

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[1] "Su-27S - Aircraft Performance". Sukhoi Company. 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110716144832/http://www.sukhoi.org/eng/planes/military/su27sk/lth/

[2] "Su-27". Airwar.ru. 2022. http://www.airwar.ru/enc/fighter/su27.html

[3] The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). The Military Balance 2021. 1st ed. Routledge. 2021. p.253

[4] Ibid. p.255

[5] Ibid. p.268

[6] Ibid. p.263

[7] Ibid. p.283

[8] Ibid. p.310

[9] Lee Ann Quann. "Vietnamese Su-27PU details". Twitter. 2021. https://twitter.com/AnnQuann/status/1403364255231995915

[10] The Irrawaddy. "Myanmar Regime takes delivery of two Su-30 Fighter Jets from Russia". The Irrawaddy. 2022. https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/myanmar-regime-takes-delivery-of-two-su-30-fighter-jets-from-russia.html

[11] New Horizons for Aviation. "The No.11 Project is of great significance. The Su-27SK has tetreated to the second line, and the J-11A still has advanced points.". Sohu.com. 2021. https://www.sohu.com/a/443706150_99993869?scm=1004.722184898756149248.0.0.0&spm=smpc.mil-weapon.army.3.1610435272344xD2bq5f

[12] Ibid

[13] Ibid.

[14] "The Flanker in Indonesia". Red Samovar. 2018. https://redsamovar.com/2018/03/17/dossier-le-flanker-en-indonesie/

[15]"Su-27UB". Airwar.ru. 2022. http://www.airwar.ru/enc/fighter/su27ub.html

[16] Vzlet. "Su-27SKM", 2005. https://military.wikireading.ru/hOihBH8uRa

[17] Ibid.

[18] Butowski, Piotr. "Out-Flanking the Enemy". Key Military. 2018. https://www.keymilitary.com/article/out-flanking-enemy.

[19]"Su-30". Airwar.ru. 2022. http://www.airwar.ru/enc/fighter/su30.html

[20] Silva, Darío. "The Su-30MK2 Flanker-G Of the Venezuelan Air Force". Web Archive. 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20081219224554/http://www.fav-club.com/articulos/su30anida/suanida.htm.

[21] Ibid.

[22] Ibid.

[23] "Sukhoi Su-35 The Ultimate Flanker". Key Aero. 2022. https://www.key.aero/article/sukhoi-su-35-ultimate-flanker.

[24] Ibid.

[25] KnAAPO. "Su-35: Multifunctional Super-Maneuverable Fighter". 2013. Web Archive. https://web.archive.org/web/20130921083835/http://www.knaapo.ru/media/eng/about/production/military/su-35/su-35_buklet_eng.pdf.

[26] "Indian Air Force inducts Su-30 MKI Fighters into operational service". Airforce Technology. 2012. https://www.airforce-technology.com/news/newsindian-air-force-su-30-mki/.

[27] Janes. "Defence Case Study - Su-30MKI". Janes. 2020. https://www.janes.com/capabilities/defence-equipment-intelligence/air-combat-systems/su-30mki-equipment-profile.

[28] Ibid.

[29] "EL/L-8222 And LITENING Pods On The Su-30MKI". F-16.net. 2005. https://www.f-16.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3071.

[30] Kunde, Raunak. "IAF Su-30S To Get X-GUARD Fiber Optic Towed Decoy System". Idrw.org. 2022. https://idrw.org/iaf-su-30s-to-get-x-guard-fiber-optic-towed-decoy-system/.

[31] Janes. "Defence Case Study - Su-30MKI". Janes. 2020. https://www.janes.com/capabilities/defence-equipment-intelligence/air-combat-systems/su-30mki-equipment-profile.

[32] Hindustan Times. "Made-In-India Astra Missile successfully tested from Sukhoi 30MKI Jet". Youtube. 2019. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMkP7gX7IoM.

[33] Hindustan Times. "India test fires anti-radiation missile Rudram-1". Youtube. 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYiwzDbRRzQ.

[34] Udoshi, Rahul. "Indian Air Force test fires Brahmos-A from Su-30MKI". Janes. 2019. https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/indian-air-force-test-fires-brahmos-a-from-su-30mki.

[35] Irkut. "The first two serially produced Su-30MKM fighters for the Royal Malaysian Air Force has been demonstrated". Web Archive. 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20080307022036/http://www.irkut.com/en/news/press_release_archives/index.php?id48=252.

[36] Pittaway, Nigel. "Malaysian Flankers poised to be operational by year-end". Aviation International News. 2008. https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2008-02-11/malaysian-flankers-poised-be-operational-year-end.

[37] Mladenov, Alexander. "In-Depth: A look at Russia's enhanced Sukhoi Su-30SM2". Key Aero. 2021. https://www.key.aero/article/depth-look-russias-enhanced-sukhoi-su-30sm2.

[38] Rupprecht, Andreas. "The Chinese Flanker Story". Key Aero. 2019. https://www.key.aero/article/chinese-flanker-story.

[39] Ibid.

[40] Rupprecht, Andreas. "Images Showing J-11B Which Were Using AL-31F Engines Have Been Re-Engined With WS-10B". Twitter. 2022. https://twitter.com/RupprechtDeino/status/1483342127354556424.

[41] "Photo of the Day: Ukraine T-10K-3 prototype at Shayang Aircraft Company". China Defense Blogspot. 2013. http://china-defense.blogspot.com/2013/06/photo-of-day-ukraine-t-10k-3-prototype.html.

[42] Rupprecht, Andreas. Modern Chinese Warplane: Chinese Naval Aviation - Aircraft and Units. Harpia Publishing. 2018. p.21.

[43] Rupprecht, Andreas, and Gabriel Dominguez. "Footage Suggests China Testing Another J-15T CATOBAR-Capable Prototype". Janes. https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/footage-suggests-china-testing-another-j-15t-catobar-capable-prototype. 2020.

[44] Kopp, Carlo. "Advances in Russian and Chinese active electronically steered arrays (AESAs)." In 2013 IEEE International Symposium on Phased Array Systems and Technology, pp. 29-42. IEEE, 2013.

[45] Rupprecht, Andreas. "Image of the PLAAF J-16 with WS-10B Engine". Twitter. 2022. https://twitter.com/RupprechtDeino/status/1496940271824687107.

[46] "J-16 Flanker". Chinese Military Aviation Blogspot. 2022. http://chinese-military-aviation.blogspot.com/p/attack-aircraft.html.

[47] Associated Press. "Australia says China threatened plane over South China Sea". AP News. 2022. https://apnews.com/article/china-australia-south-sea-beijing-government-and-politics-a6c946ff902bcccbdddbbaaca260d0b9.

[48] Moclair, Tony. "TBT – Top End air combat at Pitch Black 12". Australian Aviation. 2018. https://australianaviation.com.au/2018/08/top-end-air-combat-at-pitch-black-12/.

[49] Blenkin, Max. "Demanding scenarios and uncrowded airspace – Exercise Pitch Black 18". Australian Aviation. 2018. https://australianaviation.com.au/2018/10/exercise-pitch-black-18/.

[50] Pittaway, Nigel. "Sukhois return to Pitch Black". Australian Defence Magazine. 2022. https://www.australiandefence.com.au/news/sukhois-return-to-pitch-black.