OVERVIEW: The Su-30SME Flanker H is a twin-engine, two-seat, 4.5 generation multirole fighter developed by Sukhoi as an export variant of the Su-30SM. Entering service with the Myanmar Air Force in 2022, it is a supermaneuverable aircraft designed for air superiority and strike missions using Russian-origin systems.

DETAILS: The Su-30SME is derived from the Su-30SM airframe and retains its aerodynamic layout with canards and thrust-vectoring AL-31FP engines, allowing speeds of up to Mach 2.0. It includes 12 external hardpoints and is equipped with the N011M Bars radar, OLS-30 IRST, digital RWR, internal ECM system, and helmet-mounted sighting. It supports R-73 and R-77 air-to-air missiles, Kh-29T/L and Kh-31A/P missiles, and KAB-500 precision-guided bombs. The Su-30SME was first unveiled in 2016 as an export-standard model with reduced Russian-only components, and Myanmar received its first aircraft by 2022 after signing a contract in 2018. Flanker-H is the NATO reporting name assigned to this Su-30 variant.

“Su” stands for Sukhoi, “SME” designates “Serial Modernized Export,” indicating a multirole export version of the Su-30SM with full combat capability. The Myanmar Su-30SME includes thrust-vectoring and multirole sensors but with system modifications to meet export control requirements. It was procured to serve as Myanmar's most advanced fighter and a replacement for aging legacy platforms.

TYPE: Multirole export fighter

FUNCTION: The Su-30SME is used by Myanmar for airspace control, strike operations, and deterrence. Its long range, supermaneuverability, and precision weapon compatibility make it the backbone of the Myanmar Air Force's high-performance combat fleet.

NOTE:
IOC: Su-27UB (1985), Su-30 (1992), Su-30SM (2013 Russia), Su-30SME (2022 Myanmar)
Manufacturer: Sukhoi (Russia)
Operators: Myanmar
Conflict used in: None

SOURCE:
SIPRI Arms Transfers Database: https://armstrade.sipri.org ; United Aircraft Corporation: https://www.uacrussia.ru ; Rosoboronexport: https://roe.ru/eng/ ; TASS Russia: https://tass.com/defense ; Flight Global World Air Forces 2023 ; Jane’s All the World’s Aircraft