They could have simply transferred them to Uganda or Vietnam, instead. The fact is that no Su-27UB upgrade has been materialized within the Russian VVS and the Su-30M2 is the closest option to the Su-27UBM.

A few years ago there was talk of a possible MK3 variant for China, but it does not make sense to start building the aircraft before contract is signed. I assume that if there were components left from Soviet contracts they were used for export (China).

China did cancel a production license, but this was for Su-27SK. I assume that Russia still produced many components (engines, electronics…). China probably produced sections of the fuselage. Maybe KnAAPO decided to use components left on Su-30 frames, creating M2 designation. UB variants had flown more in Russian Air Force and were more useful.

This mean, that capabilities of AL-31FP and Su-30MKI and MKM are well exposed to the West,

Very debatable. When MKI operate abroad they use a special radar mode to avoid exposure. This is by contract BTW.

So, Indonesia has decided to buy the Su-35, though in batches as the budget allows.

Whole thing has been decided pretty fast. Eurofighter was offered by Spain. Saab did the same with the Gripen.

But they’re expensive to run, none of the money spent on buying them comes back to the UK, & they are much more restricted in where they can land & take off than A400M.

IIRC restrictions on landing/taking off are due to lease contract. Is there any data on cost of maintenance now that the RAF operates both?

By August 2015 36 were delivered.

Variants offered can have Pratt & Whitney or Motor-Sich turbines. Are there plans to replace Ukrainian turbine?

The fleet has flown about 8000 hours. Availability of the fleet during training operations is around 93%.

That’s impressive. It is a shame it has not gained more orders. Light helicopter market is huge.

Not exactly military, but what does the back log order on SSJ look like now?

Back in March Putin stated that the orderbook was 150. This number can vary a lot because optional aircraft are often included. SSJ is selling more than all other civil airliners combined. A few years ago it was heavily criticised because of the large amount of foreign components, but alternatives (Tu-334) used Ukrainian engines.

http://tass.ru/en/economy/781319

We have 8 MiG-29SMT for the RuAF.

Interesting, I did not know 8 were alrady supposed to be delivered this year. The only reference I had to deliveries said that it would be done over 3 years. It will be interesting to find out who is the buyer of those 6 MiG-29.

Hmm. Hydromash is going to start production of MiG-31 landing gear this year.

There are a number of early production aircraft retired or stored. Doesn’t it make more sense to refurbish and modernise these? Having said that, maybe they are in a pretty bad state. I was discussing this in another forum as someone was asking why Russia is acquiring such a high number of +4 aircraft when they inherited a large number of Su-27/MiG-29/MiG-31 from USSR.

Op Tempo, Sustainment Flaws Hit Russian Air Force

The mention to Tu-95 engine production is interesting. NK-12 production was one of the issues when it came to extending the life of An-22 Antey.

FSB is ordering 5 Mi-35, for delivery by the end of 2017. Deal is worth 2.83 billion rubles.

Unit price is really low, about 10 million $. Are these going to be new built or refurbished?

By the way, what type of RWR/IR jammer does it have? according to an article it still has SPO-15. IR jammer is not thought to be effective against latest MANPADS. I would expect the fleet to be upgraded, especially after recent events in Ukraine. There is no place for obsolete helicopters in a well defended battle area.