I don’t recall where I found this piece of information, I think a Russian website or forum. As I understand it, the 558 ARZ Su-27/27UB upgrades are known as Su-27M1 (only on paper) and Su-27UBM1 for Belarus, and Su-27M2 and Su-27UBM2 for Kazakhstan.

I found my source again:

http://www.mars.slupsk.pl/fort/sukhoi/default.htm

Check under Kazakhstan

KazAF started to upgrade their double-seaters in the first place. They are called Su-27UBM2 and operate from Taldyqorgan AFB.

Wasn’t there also an Su-27M2 upgrade of the single-seaters developed by 558 ARZ?

As Deino says, it was originally the Su-27BM (T10BM) – with Su-35 being reserved for the export version.

Then, for some unknown reason, Sukhoi (and then the military) started using the Su-35 designation for the domestic product.

I think I read somewhere that Su-35(S) is the factory-build model, while Su-27BM is the designator for an upgraded Su-27 brought to Su-35 standard. Is this even possible?? :confused: And if yes: do the Russians have plans to modify (some of) their Su-27’s to Su-27BM? Or is the Su-27SM the only upgrade? Tx

The BM has an “antenna” on top of the front canopy.

Belarus also operates Mig-23 in small numbers I think…

I’m not sure about Belarus but Ukraine still has some MiG-23. They are mostly found in the aircraft repair plants (ARZ). But that’s not ‘operational service’ I suppose.

Kazakhstan

From the MOD’s website.

Kazakh MiG-27’s during Peace Mission-2010. Picture from otvaga2004.

KazAF Su-27 – bort Yellow 02-03-04

From the MoD’s website: