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Sukhoi Su-30MKM

Su-30MKM
Royal Malaysian Air Force Sukhoi Su-30MKM over the South China Sea in May 2015.JPG
A Royal Malaysian Air Force Su-30MKM
Role Air superiority/Multirole fighter
National origin Russia
Manufacturer Irkut Corporation
Designer Sukhoi Design Bureau
Introduction 2007
Status In service
Primary user Royal Malaysian Air Force
Number built 18
Unit cost
US$35–53 million
Developed from Sukhoi Su-30/Sukhoi Su-30MKI

The Sukhoi Su-30MKM (Modernizirovannyi Kommercheskiy Malaysia – Modernized Export Malaysia) is a supermaneuverable fighter of the Royal Malaysian Air Force. It is a variant of the Su-30 series fighters, with many significant improvements over the original Su-30MK export version. The Su-30MKM was developed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau and is based on the Su-30MKI of the Indian Air Force. Both aircraft have common airframe, thrust vectoring engines and digital fly-by-wire system, However the MKM version differs from the MKI mainly in the composition of the onboard avionics. It can carry up to 8,000 kg/ 17,650 lb of weapons and payloads over 700 nmi unrefueled combat radius.

In 2003, the Su-30MKM was selected by the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF). In August 2003, during the course of President Vladimir Putin’s official visit to Malaysia, the contract for the Su-30MKM aircraft was signed. Except for Russian MiG-29s, the RMAF has previously operated aircraft of Western origin. At the time of delivery the Su-30MKMs were the most advanced and heavy fighters in Southeast Asia.

In 2003, Malaysia committed to purchase 18 Su-30MKMs. As part of the contract, Russia sent the first Malaysian cosmonaut to the International Space Station. It was a project under the government-to-government offset agreement through the purchase of Su-30MKM fighter jets for the Royal Malaysian Air Force. Under this agreement the Russian Federation bore the cost of training two Malaysians for space travel and for sending one to the International Space Station (ISS) in October 2007 under the Angkasawan program.

In August 2003, Malaysia signed a US$900 million contract with Irkut Corporation for 18 Sukhoi Su-30MKMs. Malaysia operates the F/A-18D Hornet, and was offered Boeing's F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, but chose the Su-30MKM. The Su-30MKM is an advanced variant, whose performance involves considerable improvements over Su-30MK/MKK fighters. Irkut Corporation subcontracted the task of manufacturing the canards, stabilizers and fins to HAL Nasik.


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