Trident:

Su-34 going to cost the MOD more than Su-35C?!? I would be shocked.
Apparently per unit the Su-34 is costing the MOD some 33 million or so. Su-35C will certainly be more than this, and you really think Irkut will match that price with the Su-30SM?

The argument for just a larger Su-30 fleet has merit, but at the end of the day the VVS waited for more specialized aircraft in the 35 and the 34.

An upside of ordering all 3 is acceptable numbers will be bought through the decade, more than 1 plant could reasonably handle within an acceptable time frame. The factories are critical to employment in their regions too.

isn’t there about 15 Knaapo Su-30s in RuAF service right now with 10 more coming? thats near Su-34 numbers?

also shame about Su-35S. nice airplane, but at the rate its going, there will soon be more Pak-fa prototypes flying than Su-35S 😮

Hmm? There are several “old” Su-30s flying around, and 4 Su-30M2. No more currently ordered or expected.

If there are ~48 PAK-FAs by 2015, and ~100 by 2020, I will be happy indeed. 😉

cost effective as in having one less airframe type to support.
I’m sure the Su-34 is better than the Su-30 for ground attack.. but rather the better question is.. can the Su-30 complete the same job.

see for example, Switzerland Gripen vs Rafale. Rafale is better than Gripen, but Gripen can still do the same job.

RuAF doesn’t even operate Su-30 from Irkut (the only ones who you could make an argument could take some of the SU-34s role), so Su-30 or Su-34, they would have to buy a new line of spares. Either way, the manufacturer is domestic, so I don’t think the process would be very complicated or expensive. Speaking of price RuAF gets Su-34s at the bargain price of something like 33 million per unit, I wonder what the Su-30SMs will come at…

@ JSR: by canceling the deal I mean an Algeria type scenario, the MOD pays for the contract, and gets the planes.

@ Martinez: Yes I absolutely agree, the camouflage makes sense given the task of the plane. Btw, thanks for bringing up the APU @ Paralays, I saw those posts, was too lazy to ask myself. 😮

http://russianplanes.net/images/to62000/061802.jpg

Il-76MD repaired in Russia.

I have no doubt sensors wise Su-32 would have the edge or it could have the edge and is more upgradable. It’s a bigger beasty after al and probably house bigger generators.

But combat radius ain’t all that bigger from what I recall. Which btw looking at the Su-32 i’d expected it to carry a lot more payload. Though one could argue eight tons is more then enough and typical there wouldn’t be a mission that would require weapons-load even close to that and you’d be right.

It can actually take off with 12 tons, no problem. Source, NAPO guys. I suspect the clearance number will be increased at some point, but either way the 8 tons isn’t really reflective of capability.

Then again as you said a long range mission with even an 8 ton payload isn’t going to be a common occurrence.

The sensors and systems are tailored to its strike role, and don’t forget the crew accommodations in the spacious tandem configuration, the legendary toilet (tube), etc, all aimed at making a long range strike aircraft.

And finally, armor. Much more survivable than Su-30.