Kazakhstan Takes Delivery of Four Su-30SM Fighter Jets from Russia

Released on Tuesday, May 05, 2015

 

The highly maneuverable fourth generation aircraft is equipped with the Bars radar system

The latest Su-30SM fighter jets, just recently delivered to Kazakhstan from Russia, participated in the May 7 Victory Day parade in Astana. This was the first agreement in 25 years for the supply of combat aircraft to a country of the former Soviet Union.

Experts contend that this delivery was only the start of a much larger program. Kazakhstan likely needs more than 40 heavy fighters. Russian military aircraft has been delivered to Astana before, but as barter, according to Rossiiskaya Gazeta. For example, in 1995 Kazakhstan traded 40 Tu-95MS bombers for 21 MiG-29 and 38 Su-27 Russian fighter jets.

According to experts, the multipurpose Su-30SM fighter jet is ideal for Kazakhstan. An important advantage of the aircraft is the presence of a second crewmember. This not only enables division between piloting and weapons control, but is even more optimal during long-distance flights, especially over monotonous terrain, as is found everywhere in Kazakhstan.

The Su-30SM is the world's only serially produced, highly maneuverable fourth generation aircraft. It has excellent radar with a phased antenna array and modern avionics.

The aircraft includes the Bars phased array radar developed by V. Tikhomirov Scientific Research Institute of Instrument Design. “This radar has passed all the necessary testing stages and has been thought out almost to the last detail so that it can respond to all situations,” said Yuri Belyi, CEO of NIIP, in a recent interview.

This radar phased array antenna utilizes an electronically controlled beam. It can simultaneously detect and fire on multiple targets, and a full scan of a given area takes only a few seconds.

This type of combat radar has a detection range of more than 120 kilometers. It can track up to 15 targets simultaneously, and Bars can fire on four of the tracked targets with weapons.

The Bars radar system is highly valued in the global market and is popular among aircraft customers. Around 300 fighter jets are equipped with this KRET-produced equipment. In addition to the Su-30SM, the Su-30MKI, Su-30MKM, and Su-30MKI (A) fighter jets also are equipped with the radar, which is also utilized by the air forces of India, Malaysia, and Algeria.

Thus, Kazakhstan is the fifth customer of the Su-30 fighter jet series after India, Malaysia, Algeria, and Russia.

 

Source: Russia has delivered four Su-30SM fighter jets to Kazakhstan