- Yes
- No
Background
Spoiler
One of the driving forces behind the efforts to develop an indigenous ‘Flanker’ was the desire for multirole performance. In addition the Xian JH-7 (Chapter 9), with its long and troubled gestation during the late 1980s, was always in real danger of failing to fulfil the once promising aspirations of becoming a true multirole fighter-bomber suitable for both Air Force and Navy. When it became apparent to the PLAAF that the air-superiority Su-27s ordered by China would only be able to perform secondary attack missions with ‘dumb’ munitions and did not have a precision strike capability, the PLAAF began looking for an alternative. A solution was to purchase a version of the Russian multirole Su- 30MK and negotiations began in 1996 which resulted in an order for 12 Su-30MKK in 1999. This was a specially configured variant for the PLAAF with the designation Su-30MKK, meaning Mnogofunktzionniy Komercheskiy Kitayski (Multifunctional Commercial for China) and was built by KnAAPO in Komsomolsk-na-Amur.
The MKK features enlarged Su-27M style tailfins with squared tips and internal fuel cells, a twin nosewheel and is equipped with an uprated NIIP N001VE radar and modern glass cockpit. It does not have canards but, besides the usual air-to-air weapons associated with regular fighter ‘Flankers’, the Su- 30MKK gives the PLAAF its long-awaited multirole fighter/fighter-bomber. Typical weapons, albeit all Russian-made, are laser-guided and TV-guided missiles like the Kh-29T and Kh-59ME, anti-radiation missiles such as the Kh-31P and guided bombs like the KAB- 500KR or KAB-1500KR. The first contract was supplemented in July 2001. a second order for 38 aircraft was concluded by 2003. currently the PLAAF operates 73 SU-30MKK.
A change in priorities for PLAAF and PLANAF acquisitions has been observed since the mid-2000s. Following the introduction of the J-10 and the improved JH-7A, an internal competition for resources and funding emerged within the PLAAF. The likelihood of further procurement of Russian-built “Flankers” such as the long-rumored Su-30MK3 purchase may have diminished due to the increasing sophistication of China’s own products, their lower costs, and their ability to utilize indigenous weapons, as exemplified by the J-16. Moreover, there remained a persistent concern about becoming overly reliant on Russian after-sales support, while China favored licensed production and technology transfer, in contrast to the Russian preference for selling complete or off-the-shelf items, as evidenced by the lessons learned from previous Flanker deals with China.
Technical Data
Specifications
Crew - 2
Length - 21.9 m
Height - 6.36 m
Wingspan - 14.7 m
Gross Weight - 24,900 kg
Max Takeoff Weight - 34,500 kg
Powerplant - 2 x AL-31F Turbofan Engines (76.39 kN Dry, 122.6 kN Wet)
Max Speed - 2,120 km/h (High Altitude?)
Rate of Climb - 305 m/s
Service Ceiling 17,300 m
Range - 3,000 km
Armament
1 x GSh-30-1 30mm Autocannon (150 rpg)
AKP-9E Pod
6 x Kh-29T/TE AGMs
4 x Kh-59M AGMs
6 x Kh-31P ARMs
6 x KAB-500Kr GBUs
3 x KAB-1500Kr GBUs
4 x B-8M1 Rocket Pods
4 x B-13 Rocket Pods
8 x FAB-500 Bombs
28 x FAB-250 Bombs
32 x OFAB-100 Bombs
6 x R-77E / R-77-1
6 x R-27ER1/R1
2 x R-27ET1/T1
6 x R-73M1
Napalm Tanks
KG-600 ECM Pod
2 x L-203 F1UE ECM Pods
KL-700 ES Pod
Avionics
N-001VE Radar
L-150 RWR
OLS-30 (IRST and LRF, Linked to HMD)
HMD
Ballistic Computer
Chaff/Flares
Images
Sources
