Russia to Begin Delivery Of Su-30SM Fighters To Belarus This Year

Russia will begin the delivery of first batch of Su-30SM fighters to Belarus in this year, according to a report.

"The contract on the delivery of Su-30SM planes in the interests of the Defense Ministry of the Republic of Belarus is currently at the stage of its implementation," Russia’s Federal Service for Military and Technical Cooperation told TASS at the 9th Milex-2019 international arms show on Wednesday.

The country had ordered 12 jets to replace its ageing fleet of MiG-29 fighters.

"The aircraft will be delivered in strict compliance with the terms of the contract after advance payments from the Belarusian side are received," the federal service said.

The deliveries of the Russian aircraft were scheduled to begin last year, but owning to the technical changes in the aircraft’s equipment set, the deliveries were postponed.

The Su-30SM is a generation 4++ serial-produced and upgraded two-seat super-maneuverable fighter jet. The Su-30SM is furnished with two AL-31FP thrust-vectoring reheated double-flow turbofan engines. The fighter has an operating range of 1,500 km and a flight endurance of 3.5 hours without refuelling.