Profile
- Type
- Twin-engine multirole fighter aircraft
- Conflict side
- Russia
- Origin
- Soviet Union; Russia
- Service note
- 1990s-present service, including Su-30SM variants in Russian service
Aircraft & UAVs
Sukhoi Su-30
The Sukhoi Su-30 is a two-seat, twin-engine multirole fighter developed from the Su-27 family and fielded in several Russian and export variants. In the Russia-Ukraine War, Russian Su-30SM aircraft have been used around the Black Sea for combat aviation missions, where Ukrainian forces have documented high-profile losses including a 2025 naval-drone missile engagement near Novorossiysk.
Service History
- In service
- Su-30 family introduced in the 1990s; Su-30SM entered Russian service in the 2010s
- Used by
- Russian Aerospace Forces, Russian Naval Aviation
- Wars
- Russia-Ukraine War
Production History
- Designer
- Sukhoi Design Bureau
- Designed
- Late 1980s development from the Su-27 family
- Built in
- Russia
- Unit cost
- About $50 million for Su-30 cited by Ukrainian Defence Intelligence in 2025
- Produced
- 1990s-present
- Number built
- More than 600 Su-30 family aircraft reported across variants
- Variants
- Su-30, Su-30MKI, Su-30MKK, Su-30SM, Su-30SME
Specifications
- Crew
- 2
- Maximum takeoff weight
- 34,000 kg for Su-30SME
- Combat payload
- Up to 8,000 kg on 12 external hardpoints
- Maximum speed
- Mach 1.75
- Flight range
- 3,000 km, or 5,600 km with refueling
- Service ceiling
- 16,100 m
- Engines
- Two AL-31FP turbofan engines
- Armament
- Air-to-air missiles, air-to-surface missiles, anti-ship and anti-radar missiles, guided and unguided bombs, rockets, and a built-in autocannon
Conflict Usage
- Russia-Ukraine War
- Side: Russia
Russian forces have operated Su-30-series multirole fighters over the Black Sea during the war; Ukraine's Defence Intelligence reported destroying a Russian Su-30 near Novorossiysk on May 2, 2025 with a missile launched from a Magura naval drone.
Sukhoi Su-30 Images
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Su-30SMEPublisher: United Aircraft Corporation | Note: Official manufacturer-family page supporting Su-30SME role, avionics, payload, dimensions, engines, range, speed, and hardpoint specifications. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Su-30SME Multirole Supermaneuverable FighterPublisher: Rosoboronexport | Note: Supports official export background and specifications including crew, maximum takeoff weight, payload, speed, ceiling, range, and mission roles. | Accessed: 2026-06-20World First: Defence Intelligence of Ukraine Destroys russian Su-30 Fighter Jet with a Sea Drone StrikePublisher: Defence Intelligence of Ukraine | Note: Directly supports Russia-Ukraine War context for a Russian Su-30 destroyed near Novorossiysk on May 2, 2025 by a missile launched from a Magura naval drone platform. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Ukraine War Briefing: Maritime Drone Shoots Down Russian Fighter Jet for First Time, Says KyivPublisher: The Guardian | Note: Directly supports Russia-Ukraine War conflict-use context for a Russian Su-30 shot down near Novorossiysk after Ukraine said a military intelligence maritime drone engaged the aircraft. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Sukhoi Su-30SM in Flight 2014Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and licensing page for the primary Su-30SM image, listed under CC BY-SA 3.0 and GFDL licensing with VRT permission context. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Su-30SM Russian Air ForcePublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and licensing page for the gallery Su-30SM image, listed under CC BY-SA 3.0 and GFDL licensing. | Accessed: 2026-06-20