OVERVIEW: The Su-30MKK Flanker G is a twin-engine, two-seat, 4th generation multirole fighter developed by Sukhoi for China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). It was designed to provide enhanced air-to-ground and long-range strike capabilities beyond the baseline Su-27SK.

DETAILS: The Su-30MKK is based on the Su-27UB airframe but modified to meet Chinese operational requirements for a multirole strike fighter with extended range, payload, and upgraded avionics. It is powered by two AL-31F engines, allowing speeds up to Mach 2.0, and equipped with 12 hardpoints capable of carrying a wide range of weapons including R-77 and R-73 air-to-air missiles, Kh-31A/P anti-ship missiles, Kh-29T/L precision-guided munitions, and KAB-500L bombs. The aircraft uses the N001VEP radar, with improved air-to-surface modes and limited multitarget tracking. It also includes an IRST sensor, internal RWR, and standard ECM system. China ordered 76 aircraft in two batches between 1999 and 2003, with the first entering operational service in 2001. Flanker-G is the NATO reporting name assigned to this Su-30 variant.

“Su” refers to Sukhoi, “MK” means “Modernizirovannyi Kommercheskiy” (Modernized Commercial), and “K” stands for Kitayskiy (Chinese). The Su-30MKK removed the canards and thrust-vectoring features found on the Indian MKI, opting instead for a simpler but heavy-payload strike-optimized platform. This variant focused on range and weapon capacity, with improvements in structural reinforcement and radar modes adapted for precision-guided munitions and anti-ship roles.

TYPE: Multirole strike fighter

FUNCTION: The Su-30MKK is used by the PLAAF for long-range strike, maritime interdiction, and limited air superiority missions, offering flexibility for regional deterrence and precision engagement. Its large payload and multirole capability make it a key component of China’s pre-J-20 strike fleet.

NOTE:
IOC: Su-27UB (1985), Su-30 (1992), Su-30MKK (2001 China)
Manufacturer: Sukhoi (Russia)
Operators: China
Conflict used in: None

SOURCE:
Chinese Ministry of National Defense ; SIPRI Arms Transfers Database: https://armstrade.sipri.org ; Jane’s All the World’s Aircraft ; Piotr Butowski – Russia’s Warplanes Vol. 1 ; United Aircraft Corporation: https://www.uacrussia.ru ; Sukhoi Company: https://www.sukhoi.org ; Flight Global World Air Forces 2002