Belarus has 16 multi-role Su-30SM and Su-30SM2 fighters supplied by Russia. New data on the composition of the aircraft fleet and the specifics of their operation emerged after the publication of video materials dedicated to the work of Belarusian combat aviation and airfield infrastructure. This was reported by military expert Evgeny Damantsev.
The footage shows not only fighter flights but also elements of technical maintenance, the work of ground services, and the interaction of aviation with radar target tracking systems for S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems.
The integration of aircraft with air defense systems allows for the construction of an echeloned defense system against cruise missiles and attack drones.
The fleet is based on Su-30SM and modernized Su-30SM2 aircraft. The latter version received AL-31FP engines with thrust vectoring, which significantly increased the aircraft's maneuverability. The maximum take-off weight of the fighter reaches 34.5 tons, its combat radius is about 1500 kilometers, and its combat load mass is up to 8 tons.
The Su-30SM2 is equipped with the N035 "Irbis-E" radar station with a passive phased array antenna. According to open data, the radar is capable of detecting "fighter-type" targets with a radar cross-section of about 2 square meters at a range of up to 350 kilometers. This gives the aircraft an advantage when using long-range R-37M and "Izdelie-180" missiles.
The aircraft is also capable of employing a wide range of weapons, including R-77-1 missiles and Kh-31PD anti-radar missiles for suppressing air defense systems and striking ground targets.