The Belarusian Ministry of Defence has accepted a new batch of Sukhoi Su-30 fighter aircraft as part of its ongoing military cooperation with Russia.
The jets were manufactured at Moscow’s state-owned Irkutsk Aviation Plant, and include models in the SM2 variants that were built with upgraded engines, radar, and weapons.
The number of planes was not disclosed by either the Belarusian Air Force or the Russian government.
A report from the Russian state news agency TASS said that the new Su-30s will now be used to train Minsk’s armed forces on the platform’s operations.
Several pilots to receive preparations have already been given flight lessons in Russian territory, it noted.
Later this year, Belarus is expected to receive additional fixed and rotary-wing aircraft from Russia to support the Eastern European country’s ongoing “modernization and equipment renewal” for its military.
“This week we will receive Mi-35M helicopters,” Belarusian Air Force and Air Defense Forces Commander Andrey Lukyanovich stated.
“These [Su-30] jets will start performing their main task of combat patrol on air defense as early as next week.”
Fighter Jet for Allies
The announcement followed Russia’s completion of its Su-30 deliveries to Myanmar in January under a foreign military contract signed in 2018.
In 2024, India ordered the localized production of the jets in partnership with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.
The same year, Ethiopia confirmed its procurement of an undisclosed quantity of the Russian-origin systems.
The Su-30 Combat Aircraft
Russia’s Su-30, also called the “Flanker” by NATO, measures 22 meters (72 feet) long and has a wingspan of 15 meters (49 feet).
It is fitted with a 30-millimeter automatic gun, guided and unguided bombs, and multi-domain missiles.
The plane has an internal fuel capacity of 9,400 kilograms (20,723 pounds) and a gross weight of 24,900 kg (54,895 pounds).
The system is powered by twin engines for a top speed of 1,140 knots (2,111 kilometers/1,312 miles per hour), a service ceiling of 17,000 meters (55,774 feet), and a range of 1,600 nautical miles (2,963 kilometers/1,841 miles).
