OVERVIEW: The Su-30SM Flanker H is a twin-engine, two-seat, 4.5 generation supermaneuverable multirole fighter developed by Sukhoi for Russian and allied air forces. Kazakhstan began operating the Su-30SM in 2015 as part of its air defense modernization program, acquiring the type for both air superiority and precision strike roles.

DETAILS: The Su-30SM is based on the Su-30MKI airframe but uses Russian-standard avionics and weapon systems, powered by two AL-31FP thrust-vectoring turbofans with a maximum speed of Mach 2.0. It features canards for enhanced agility, 12 hardpoints for weapon carriage, and is equipped with the N011M Bars PESA radar, OLS-30 IRST, digital RWR, internal ECM suite, and a helmet-mounted sight system. It can employ R-73 and R-77 air-to-air missiles, Kh-29T/L and Kh-31A/P air-to-surface missiles, and KAB-500 guided bombs. Kazakhstan received its first four Su-30SMs in 2015, with subsequent deliveries bringing the total to over 20 units by 2022, all deployed under the Air Defense Forces. Flanker-H is the NATO reporting name assigned to this Su-30 variant.

“Su” stands for Sukhoi, and “SM” stands for “Seriynyi Modernizirovannyi” (Serial Modernized). The Kazakh Su-30SMs are identical to the Russian configuration, incorporating thrust-vectoring engines, multirole radar, and digital avionics. Their acquisition replaced older Soviet-era fighters and provided Kazakhstan with modern multirole and deterrence capabilities under the CSTO framework.

TYPE: Multirole supermaneuverable fighter

FUNCTION: The Su-30SM is used by Kazakhstan for airspace defense, long-range interception, and tactical strike missions. Its versatility, range, and multirole payload capacity make it central to Kazakhstan’s high-performance combat aviation assets.

NOTE:
IOC: Su-27UB (1985), Su-30 (1992), Su-30SM (2012 Russia), Su-30SM (2015 Kazakhstan)
Manufacturer: Sukhoi (Russia)
Operators: Kazakhstan
Conflict used in: None

SOURCE:
Kazakh 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 2016