On June 28, 2013 in the State flight test center named after V. Chkalov (Aktyubinsk city, Astrakhan region) the Russian Ministry of Defence and Irkut Corporation signed the preliminary conclusion concerning special joint flight tests of the multirole two-seat Su-30SM fighter.
“Su-30SM will improve combat capabilities of the Russian Air Force”, said Deputy Chief of the Air Force, the Hero of Russia Colonel Sergei Kobylash. “Su-30SM capabilities of simultaneous detection and defeat multiple targets and maneuverability are unique. Modern aircraft will be supplied to the Air Force not by units, but squadrons”, he mentioned.
President of Irkut Corporation Oleg Demchenko, in turn, stressed that Irkut working in close cooperation with the Sukhoi Company makes all efforts for timely implementation of the State defence order for the Su-30SM fighter supply.
Su-30SM multirole super-maneuverable fighter is the further development of the Su-30MK combat aircraft family. Engineers of the Sukhoi Aviation Holding Company (JSC) designed the fighter in accordance with 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 was changed as well.
The first contract on 30 Su-30SM multirole fighters delivery was signed between the Russian Ministry of Defence and Irkut Corporation in March 2012.
Su-30SM fighter manufactured at the Irkutsk aviation plant, a subsidiary of Irkut Corporation, made the first flight on September 21, 2012.
