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Russia receives 7 upgraded Su-27SMs

Date Posted: 12-Jan-2005

JANE’S DEFENCE WEEKLY – JANUARY 19, 2005

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Russian Air Force receives first Su-27SM upgrade
NIKOLAI NOVICHKOV JDW Correspondent
Moscow

The first seven upgraded Su-27SM fighter aircraft were handed over to the Russian Air Force by Sukhoi on 23 December. Another 17 are expected to be delivered this year.

The aircraft were upgraded by Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aviation Production Association under a 2004 national defence order and were deployed to the Dzemgi-based fighter air regiment of the Russian Air Force’s 11th Far East Army.

In December 2003, five Su-27SMs were delivered to the Flight Personnel Combat Training and Retraining Centre in Lipetsk where they are used to train combat pilots in aircraft handling and operational techniques.

The Su-27SM is an improved Su-27S fighter aircraft with an added multirole capability provided by upgraded weapons, improved performance and maintenance, better cockpit ergonomics, increased reliability and extended service life.

The Su-27SM avionics suite includes optimised air-to-air and additional air-to-surface weapon control systems. The avionics capability has been improved by new constituent elements and algorithms. The fighter can use R-77 air-to-air beyond-visual-range missiles and Kh-31P, Kh-31A, Kh-29T (TE) and Kh-29L air-to-surface missiles as well as KAB-500Kr and KAB-1500Kr guided bombs. The fighter’s combat survivability has been improved with the installation of a modern electronic warfare suite.

Pilot operation has become more efficient due to the installation of new cockpit instrumentation and the enhanced accuracy of the sighting and navigation system. The onboard radar has a ground mapping capability with beam-sharpening mode and can detect land-based radar-reflecting targets at a distance of up to 100 km, large-sized waterborne targets at 350 km and small ones at 120 km.

According to Sukhoi’s director-general, Mikhail Pogosyan, the company will this year also be able to start supplying the Russian Air Force with upgraded Su-24M2s and Su-25SMs, and Su-34 multirole strike aircraft from 2006.

Sukhoi delivered 45 combat aircraft in 2004, including 24 Su-30MK2s for China (more than $1 billion), four Su-30MK2Vs for Vietnam ($110 million), 10 Su-30MKIs for India ($350 million) and seven Su-27SMs for the Russian Air Force ($35 million). In addition, four component packages have been delivered to India for licensed assembly of Su-30MKI fighters (around $120 million).

To strengthen its position in the Southeast Asian market, Sukhoi is improving the regional after-sale maintenance network for previously supplied aircraft.

The company’s earnings from the sale of spare parts in 2004 amounted to $132 million, compared to $14 million in the same market segment last year.

In 2005 the company expects to earn more than $150 million. “In its foreign economic operations with the supply of spare parts and provision of maintenance Sukhoi seeks to reach $200 million a year,” said Pogosyan.

‘Sukhoi to deliver upgraded fighter aircraft despite funding problems’ (JDW 4 August 2004)

‘Chinese Su-27 upgrade funds Russian project’ (JDW 8 October 2003)

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There was a recent article in Naval Forces on the very topic- on the emerging use of fast attack craft as escorts. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the time to read it.

Skimmed it quickly- of interesting note was this paragraph. (Note they are talking about an Operation Endeavour exercise in the Strait of Gibraltar)

In contrast to the existing Fast Patrol Boats (FPB), the new corvettes will have the required capability to deploy with sufficient endurance
in order to project power with its new weapon systems into the littorals
– from the sea.

Is there any role remaining for traditional designed FPB? As the
article clearly shows: Yes, there is. Escort operations like OAF. STROG
are an example where FPB could effectively contribute as an essential
and integrated part of a Naval Task Group. With the tasking of
FPB in a kind of watchdog role it is possible to provide effective protection
along Ibe flanks against any potential hostile craft. Essential
element of these kind of escort operations is the capability to rapidly
investigate and shadow any suspicious contact in the area posing a
potential threat to the escorted vessels (EV). FPB with their strengths
of high speed, flexibility, and armament are able to power around any
convoy / EV and to establish and sustain deterrent presence on Ihe
spot.