[DZ] SU-30MKA – The Mediterranean Flanker

Gamer4you · December 16, 2025, 6:16pm

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Hello everyone! Today I want to make a suggestion for a new aircraft: the Sukhoi SU-30MKA, a unique export variant of the Flanker family, operated by the Algerian Air Force.

History

What is the Su-30MKA?

The Su-30MKA (MKA = Algeria export configuration) is a twin-seat multirole fighter built specifically for the Algerian Air Force, derived from the Su-30 platform with its own avionics, radar, engines, and systems tailored to Algerian requirements. It has been in operational service since 2007.

The SU-30MKA was developed by Russia’s Sukhoi Corporation starting in 2006 as an advanced multirole fighter for the Algerian Air Force. It is based on the Su-27S airframe but incorporates technologies from both the Su-37 demonstrator and the Su-30MKI III, making it more capable than the baseline Su-27S. The aircraft features modern avionics designed for display, navigation, targeting, and electronic warfare, with components from various countries.

In 2006, Algeria initially signed a contract for 28 Su-30MKAs to be delivered in two batches. Due to issues with the algerian MiG-29 deliveries, including used or poor quality aircraft, Algeria halted payments for the MiG-29s which caused a temporary pause in the Su-30MKA deliveries. The situation was later resolved: the MIG-29 9.19s were returned to Russia, and Algeria received a revised Su-30MKA deal at a reduced cost. Ultimately, the Algerian Air Force took delivery of 44 Su-30MKAs from these early agreements.

Further orders followed, including 14 additional SU-30MKAs in 2015, bringing the planned fleet to 58 aircraft by 2018. In 2019, Algeria reportedly signed a new contract for 16 more Su-30MKAs.

Airframe, engines & avionics

Crew: x2 (pilot + WSO)
Airframe: Based on the Su‑27S with MKI enhancements.
Engines: x2 AL‑31FP turbofans with thrust-vectoring nozzles (12.500kgf thrust)
Avionics & Sensors:
- OLS‑30 IRST
- MAW-300 MAWS + Tarang MKII RWR defensive suite
- Thales HUD

The Su-30MKA is equipped with the N011M BARS passive electronically scanned array (PESA) radar, developed by NIIP (Tikhomirov Scientific Research Institute of Instrument Design). The BARS radar provides multiple air-to-air modes, including target search by velocity and range, and simultaneous tracking of up to 15 air targets, with discrete tracking of up to four targets.

Detection Ranges (NIIP Data)

Air-to-Air (MiG-29-class target, 300 sq. deg. scan sector):

Head-on engagement: up to 140 km
Tail-chase engagement: up to 60 km

Air-to-Surface Detection:

Railway bridge: 80–120 km
Group of tanks: 40–50 km
Destroyer-class vessel: 80–120 km
Aircraft carrier: up to 250 km

Maximum ground mapping resolution: 10–20 meters

Armament

Available weapons for hardpoints(!):

Internal gun: x1 30mm GSh‑30‑1
External payload: x12 hardpoints, up to ~8.100kg

The following can be mounted on x12 hardpoints of the SU-30MKA:

Air-to-Air: R-73, R-27 family, R-77
Air-to-Surface missiles: Kh-29L/T, Kh-59MK
Anti-radiation missiles: Kh-31P
Antiship missiles: Kh-31A, Kh-35
Rockets: S-8, S-13, S-25
Bombs: FAB-250, FAB-500/M62, KAB-500kr, KAB-1500Kr
SAP-518 EW pod
APK9-E pod

(!)The Algerian fleet’s exact loadout is not fully public. It is possible - though not confirmed - that some Chinese weaponry is also equipped on the aircraft.

kh31
SU-30MKA firing its Kh-31 ARM.

MKA_Kab500krU
SU-30MKA equipped with KAB-500kr-U guided training bombs.

Suggesting it for WT

92216079370120121021130618 (1)
Perhaps a decal?

The Su-30MKA would be appropriate for inclusion at BR 13.3 in Rank VIII. Algeria maintains very close ties with Russia, and the Su-30MKA represents a continuation of the russian aerospace development rather than a completely divergent national design. For these reasons, placement in the USSR/Russia aviation tree, with Algeria being the operator, would be both logical and consistent with existing WT precedents for export aircraft.

Additional pictures