Zvezda 7242 Su-30

Sukhoi Su-30 is a modern Russian multi-role fighter with considerable air combat capabilities. A prototype flight took place in 1989, but the machines entered the line in 1996. Over 630 machines of this type were created in the course of production. The drive - in the basic version - is provided by two Saturn AL-31F engines with a thrust of 74.5 kN each without afterburners. The length of the aircraft is 21.94 meters with a wingspan of 14.7 meters. Top speed is up to 2 Ma. The on-board armament consists of a single 30 mm cannon. The machine can also carry a boom and rocket load on external pylons with a total weight of up to 8,000 kilograms.

The Sukhoi Su-30 aircraft was developed on the basis of the airframe and fuselage of the Su-27UB machine. It was originally assumed that it would be an air superiority fighter with advanced electronic equipment, which would work with the MiG-31 machines. However, the economic problems related to the collapse of the USSR forced the manufacturer to adapt the Su-30 also to other tasks and to offer it primarily on export markets. In the course of production, many versions of this aircraft were created, including: Su-30K (basic version, exported to India), Su-30MK (version with improved communication systems), Su-30MKI (version developed together with HAL with improved aerodynamics) or the Su-30SM (a machine with improved maneuverability, primarily an air superiority machine). Machines of this type have served or still serve in the armed forces of countries such as Algeria, China and India.