OVERVIEW: The Su-30SM Flanker H is a twin-engine, two-seat, 4.5 generation supermaneuverable multirole fighter developed by Sukhoi and adopted by Belarus in 2020. It serves as Belarus’s most advanced combat aircraft, capable of both air superiority and precision strike missions.

DETAILS: The Su-30SM is based on the Su-30MKI airframe and is powered by two AL-31FP thrust-vectoring engines, achieving speeds up to Mach 2.0. It features canard foreplanes, 12 external hardpoints, and is equipped with the N011M Bars passive electronically scanned array radar, OLS-30 IRST, internal RWR, ECM suite, and helmet-mounted sight. It supports a wide weapons range including R-73 and R-77 air-to-air missiles, Kh-31A/P and Kh-29T/L air-to-surface missiles, and KAB-500 guided bombs. Belarus received four Su-30SMs under a 2017 contract, with deliveries completed in 2019 and operational service beginning in 2020 with the 61st Fighter Air Base. Flanker-H is the NATO reporting name assigned to this Su-30SM variant.

“Su” refers to Sukhoi, and “SM” stands for “Seriynyi Modernizirovannyi” (Serial Modernized). The Belarusian Su-30SMs are identical to the Russian standard configuration, featuring thrust-vectoring nozzles and a Russian-only avionics and weapon suite. They replaced older MiG-29 units and are intended to reinforce Belarus’s integrated air defense under the Union State framework with Russia.

TYPE: Multirole supermaneuverable fighter

FUNCTION: The Su-30SM is used by Belarus for multirole operations including air defense, tactical strike, and regional deterrence. Its maneuverability, radar capability, and multirole payload make it the core of Belarus’s frontline fighter force.

NOTE:
IOC: Su-27UB (1985), Su-30 (1992), Su-30SM (2012 Russia), Su-30SM (2020 Belarus)
Manufacturer: Sukhoi (Russia)
Operators: Belarus
Conflict used in: None

SOURCE:
Belarus Ministry of Defense ; SIPRI Arms Transfers Database: https://armstrade.sipri.org ; United Aircraft Corporation: https://www.uacrussia.ru ; Jane’s All the World’s Aircraft ; TASS Russia: https://tass.com/defense ; Flight Global World Air Forces 2021