What “further modernisation” are we talking about? The final batch of upgraded Su-24M2s was delivered in 2009. However I couldn’t find the number of upgraded aircraft. Some sources say that “all” Su-24s will be upgraded (that would be some 350), others claim that only 40 or so have been delivered. So is this “further modernisation” a next step (M2 to “M3”), or the upgrade of the remaining M to M2?

In a 2007 edition of Military Parade journal I read that the Russian airborne troops would have (some of) its An-2s converted to An-3T and that the first 10 were ordered. Did this ever materialise?

Tests of upgraded Su-25SM to be completed in 2012
http://www.warandpeace.ru/ru/news/view/60825/

Weren’t the tests completed in 2000 already?? :confused: Even if these were factory tests, would it really take the VVS 12 years to complete the evaluation?

Испытания Су-25СМ завершились в 2000 г. В 2006-2007 годах на вооружение российских ВВС поступило 12 таких машин, прошедших модернизацию на Авиационном ремонтном заводе (АРЗ) ╧ 121. В 2008 году намечена передача в войска еще восьми самолетов.

http://www.airwar.ru/enc/attack/su25sm.html

Can someone confirm that 12 entered service in 2006-2007 and another 8 in 2008? Is there a more recent figure? And what about the Su-25UBM?

Tx

😮 I have never even heard of this designation. Any info on it?

Everything I know I wrote in post #230. While the designator is obviously bogus, the idea to have a version of the Su-30MKA/MKI for the VVS is not, as the Su-30SM shows.

My question is: what’s the point of all these different (more or less) versions of the Su-27 entering service? The VVS already had a small number of Su-30 and Su-30M, then the Su-30M2 was ordered, and now the Su-30SM. And I’m not even talking about the Su-27SM, Su-27SM3, Su-35 and Su-35S.

Russianized Su-30MKI/M/A basically. Hopefully sees the latest Flanker improvements though in terms of engines, optics, radar, etc.

Wasn’t there at one point already a Su-30MKR for the Russian VVS in planning? :confused:

I disagree. First, it would be very difficult to find so many Mi-24Rs, at all.

Define “many”. How many Superhinds are allready operational?

Second, Mi-24Rs have large bulbous window on the starboard instead of two smaller ones, I don’t see anything like that here.

That’s why I wrote that they have the original side hatch, not the one with the bulbuous window. It’s simply a hatch and it’s easy to replace.

Third, all ATE upgraded machines have the original sensors removed, this doesn’t mean they were all Mi-24Rs before.

Well I give you that but “White 306” isn’t upgraded yet.

They ARE based on the Mi-24R and it’s obvious when you have a left side view. Here’s a picture of Mi-24R “White 305”, clearly showing the air filter on the lower left fuselage:

And Mi-24G Superhind “White 302”, also with the filter still in place:

Both 301 and 302 where shown at the parade at both still had the filter.

Thanks TR1!