The Irkutsk Aircraft Production Association has mastered serial production of a two-seater version of the SU-27 aircraft provided with an in-flight refuelling system and featuring greater combat capabilities. The new version has received the designation SU-30. The capability of the aircraft to be refuelled in flight makes it possible to considerably increase the time of patrouing and the range of the aircraft. As an illustration of the capabilities of the SU-30 aircraft we may refer to the Moscow — Komsomolsk on the Amur — Moscow nonstop flight in 1987, when the aircraft covered 13440 km with several in-flight refuellings. Provided with advanced navigation equipment, the aircraft features unique capabilities to patrol and approach a target in solo and formation flights. The 30-mm automatic cannon and ten external stores of missile armament of different types enable the aircraft to effectively hit different air and ground targets. The aircraft is delivered to China.

1992. April, 23