Irkut To Supply Additional 30 Su-30SM Jets To The Russian Air Force

The Russian Defense Ministry and aircraft-maker Irkut JSC have signed a contract for the delivery of an additional 30 Su-30SM multirole fighter jets by 2016. The Russian Air Force received the first two Su-30SM aircraft last month after the MoD and Irkut signed and contract for the delivery of 30 Su-30SMs was signed in March. "In line with the new contract, Irkut will build 30 additional aircraft of this type for the Defense Ministry by 2016,” the ministry said in a statement. The Su-30SM is the latest development of the twin-seat Su-30 jet fighter family, itself a derivative of the long-serving single-seat SukhoiSu-27, one of the air force's most important warplanes. The new aircraft has an improved radar, communications and identification-friend-or-foe system, new ejection seat and new weapons. It also has thrust-vectoring engine nozzles and canard fore planes, providing super maneuverability at low airspeeds.