The Belarusian Ministry of Defence has recently enhanced its military capacity by acquiring a new batch of Sukhoi Su-30 fighter aircraft, as part of its military cooperation with Russia. These advanced jets were manufactured at the state-owned Irkutsk Aviation Plant in Moscow and include the upgraded SM2 variants, characterized by enhanced engines, radar capabilities, and weaponry.
While the exact number of acquired aircraft remains undisclosed by both the Belarusian Air Force and the Russian government, reports from the Russian state news agency TASS indicate that the new Su-30s will be utilized to train Belarusian armed forces on operating the platform effectively. Several Belarusian pilots have already commenced training, receiving flight lessons in Russian territory.
The recent acquisition is part of a larger strategy to modernize and renew military equipment in Belarus, with expectations of further deliveries of both fixed and rotary-wing aircraft later this year. Belarusian Air Force and Air Defense Forces Commander Andrey Lukyanovich confirmed that Mi-35M helicopters are among the next arrivals, stating that the new Su-30 jets are set to undertake air defense operations as early as the coming week.
This military development follows a broader trend in the region, with Russia recently completing its deliveries of Su-30s to Myanmar and India placing an order for localized production of these jets in collaboration with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for the year 2024. Additionally, Ethiopia has confirmed its procurement of an undisclosed number of Russian-origin Su-30 systems.
The Su-30, referred to as the “Flanker” by NATO, boasts impressive specifications, measuring 22 meters (72 feet) in length and featuring a wingspan of 15 meters (49 feet). It is equipped with a 30-millimeter automatic gun, guided and unguided bombs, as well as multi-domain missiles. With an internal fuel capacity of 9,400 kilograms (20,723 pounds) and a gross weight of 24,900 kg (54,895 pounds), the fighter jet is powered by twin engines, enabling a top speed of 1,140 knots (2,111 kilometers/1,312 miles per hour) and a service ceiling reaching 17,000 meters (55,774 feet), in addition to a range of 1,600 nautical miles (2,963 kilometers/1,841 miles).
The acquisition of these advanced fighters marks a significant development in Belarus’s military capabilities while highlighting the ongoing collaboration between Belarus and Russia in defense affairs.
