From what I have read I think the Su-30 is for export because the Su-34 is considered too capable… they are putting all their best stuff in it. Having said that the Su-34 is in the Russia’s Arms export catalog 2001-2002, so they might sell it if the right customer comes along, but it is more likely they’d want them to buy a Su-30 instead.

Well, the Tu-160 is in Russia’s Arms too- surely that’s not for export 🙂

The extended range version is only extended to 200km. Unless they change the electronics too, I’d rather have a Yakhont.

I would too. The Oniks/Yakhont is the little-brother of Granit, and is definitely a more advanced missile. I suppose the Chinese just want commonality.

Well, the R-27AE is based off the long-burn versions of the R-27, so I assume it might have had greater range, but really, there’s no reason why the R-27AE should have a superior seeker. I also understand it couldn’t deal with targets maneuvering as hard as the R-77 can (awkward sentence, but you know what i mean).

But still, the R-77M is sure to outperform the R-27AE.

The new R-27EP is a passive homer? So how does it home? On enemy fighter radar emissions?

On any airborne radar transmissions, presumably. That’s what the ‘P’ stands for- passive. Good for killing AWACS I’d say.

Is there still an active radar version of the R-27 on the way?

The active-radar version of the R-27 was the R-27AE. It’s development was halted- the R-77 is already there and available for export, with the improved R-77M and ramjet-powered variant (RVV-AE-PD) in development- seems like a needless duplication of scarce resources.

The R-77 will be the next missile ‘family’.

Alfa is the air launched version of Novator’s Klub complex, not Yakhont-Oniks. Different company.

No, if you check this out:

http://www.milparade.ru/market/paid/020/08_02.htm

There are actually two Alfa missiles:

Novator “AFM-L Alfa” aka “Klub”. “Alfa” designation has fallen into disuse over the years.

NPO Mashinostroyeniya Alfa- the LACM of Yakhont.

See this image:

Same missile as on that Su-27IB prototype.

Novator wouldn’t advertise their Alfa right next to NPO Mashinostroyeniya’s product.

I’m not sure if Kh-35 (air launched version of the Switchblade aka Uran) ever came into service. I don’t think it ever was. All the specs of the SU-30, SU-27 upgrade and MiG-29 upgrade never included the missile, unlike the Kh-31A, who is also made by the same company Zvezda. So it makes it an improbable. I have never seen a picture of one actually being caried in flight or fired. The sea launched version is in service.

Well, I’m only going off Jane’s. Varying dates are given (from the 80s, which seems unlikely) to the 1990s (1992 testing, 1995 cleared for service on various types- which doens’t mean it’s been acquired, however). I think the 90s figure is more accurate (from the Uran entry, rather than the Kh-35 entry).

The RuAF isn’t going to adopt every proposal or missile made in that list. it seems that every missile company in Russia is offering each of their own alternative—Raduga on the Kh-41 Moskit, Novator on the Alfa, Beriev on the Yakhont, Zvezda on the Krypton and the Kayak. It will come down to picking one and discarding the rest. Chances are it will fall on the Yakhont M for the big one and the Kh-31A Krypton for the small part. The reason for saying this is nowadays, with the Russian budgets so tight, they have to rely on foreign customers to subsidize development of such projects. Those that won’t attract a potential customer from China or India are unlikely to be ever finished.

I still think there’s a place for Kh-37 and the 3M24M1 though, considering their export to various nations. All the air-launched version are is the sea launched one without the booster.

I choose the Yakhont because of the connections with Brahmos, and the Kh-31A because it’s bought by the Chinese. Both missiles have in effect guaranteed futures.

Oniks also has a guaranteed future with the RuN (on the Yasen SSN, Steregushchy frigate/corvette, Scorpion).

A Kh-31A Mod 2 with increased range (up to 100km) is said to be in development, probably for an export customer (China tops the list).

Yup Kh-31AD, like Kh-31PD I heard about in a JED article called “Crimson SEAD” (about Soviet/Russian ARMs/aircraft and SEAD tactics).

The Kh-59ME (and a new longer ranged Kh-59MeH under works), also known as the Kazoo, is a dual purpose misisle that can both be used against ground targets and ships. Status is uknown with the RuAF but it’s already operational with the Chinese air force. If the Uran is to the Russians what the Harpoon is to the US, the Kh-59ME would be to the Russians what the SLAM is to the US.

The original Kh-59 was rather quickly supplanted in service by the Kh-59M- first seen in public in 1991, the Kh-59M entered Soviet service in the 80s. Oriignal Kh-59 first appeared in 1982. Both are still in use though (saw a Kh-59 underneath an Su-34 at MAKS 03).

I could’ve been wrong aobut Kh-59MEh- sometimes some sources do say the “E” on an export weapon as “Eh” instead- like Zhuk-MEh. Who knows what it really means. But in theory, an extended range version of the Kh-59M is of course possible using Kh-59MK principles.

For ship to ship, the list is much longer from the Granit to the Sunburn and to the Uran. A longer ranged Sunburn is being developed for the Chinese Navy, so once again, the Russians don’t have to spend any development dollars on this missile if they want to use it for their own. Klubs is already a sure thing should the RuN wants to get this, with both Indian and Chinese customers guaranteed.

It would depend on a longer range variant I’d say- the RuN has no reason to restrict themselves to ~280ish km like the Chinese and Indian exports have to.

It’s the Alfa, the land attack version of Oniks/Yakhont. *Old* pciture though.