Russia received six elephants from Myanmar as part of a contract for the sale of six Su-30SME (PJSC "Yakovlev") super-maneuverable multirole two-seat fighters, Radio France Internationale reported.
Myanmar sent elephants in exchange for six Su-30 fighters. Russia delivered the aircraft this year. To pay for the contract, Myanmar received a $400 million loan from Russia.
Russian media write that six elephants from Myanmar were transferred to the Bolshoi Moscow Circus. The occasion for this gift was the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and Myanmar. However, there is no official confirmation that the elephants were part of the payment for the Su-30SME.
<b>About the Su-30SME fighter</b>
The Su-30SME destroys air, ground, and surface targets at any time of the day and in any weather. The fighter strikes enemy infrastructure facilities covered by air defense systems and can perform intelligence gathering tasks.
The integrated aerodynamic configuration, combined with thrust vector control, provides excellent maneuverability and high takeoff and landing performance. The Su-30SME is capable of performing a number of unique maneuvers used to gain superiority in close combat and repel missile attacks.
Features of the Su-30SME:
- power plant of two AL-31FP turbofan engines with afterburners
- total thrust at afterburner - 25000 kgf
- combat load - up to 8000 kg
- weapons - air-to-air missiles of short and medium range, air-to-surface guided missiles, anti-ship and anti-radar missiles, guided and unguided bombs
The fighter is equipped with a modern complex of airborne radio-electronic equipment, including an airborne radar, an optoelectronic sighting and navigation complex.
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