A $1.85 billion contract was signed by Chinese and
Russian military leaders in late 1999 to purchase 38 Su-30MKK fighter
bombers for PLAAF, with the first 10 delivered by KNAAPO on December 20, 2000,
and the second 10 delivered on August 21, 2001. The rest of the batch were
delivered by the end of 2001. More advanced and powerful
than JH-7 operated by PLAN, Su-30MKK will
become the first fighter bomber operated by PLAAF capable of carrying a wide
range of Russian-made precision-guided air-to-surface weapons including TV
guided missiles (Kh-29T &
Kh-59ME), anti-radiation missiles (Kh-31P), TV guided
bombs (KAB-500KR & KAB-1500KR). In addition it can also carry Sorbtsiya ECM
pods at wingtips as well as Sapsan-E EO pod
(containing TV camera and laser designator) and APK-9 datalink pod for Kh-59ME
underneath its engine air intake. Its maximum weapon load is 8 ton. Its range
can be extended up to 5,200km by in-flight refueling, even though China
currently does not have a suitable tanker (e.g. Il-78) yet. As the result, it
is expected to replace some of the roles ofH-6 medium bomber to launch
long range strikes against high value targets deep inside the enemy territory.
The aircraft features Su-35 style tailfins with square tips and twin nose
wheels. It also features a glass cockpit, an
NIIP N001VE fire-control radar (range 100km, engage 2 aerial targets
simultaneously, plus multiple AG modes) capable of firing R-77E active
radar homing AAM. The first test fire of R-77E by Su-30MKK was
carried out in June 2002. In addition, the older R-27 semi-active radar homing
AAM can also been carried. It was reported that Su-30MKK can be used
as a mini-airborne command post to direct up to 16 of the same type via
datalink to engage the enemy aircraft. Unlike Su-30MKI acquired by IAF, it
lacks canard foreplanes, AL-31FP thrust-vectoring engine (Su-30MKK still
uses AL-31F) and N-011M phased-array radar, however its delivery schedule is
two and half years faster (in full standard). The acquisition of this F-15E
class fighter bomber by PLAAF would inevitably tip the military balance in the
North East Asia. Currently the first 19 of Su-30MKKs are stationed
at Wuhu Airbase in Southeast China, directly facing Taiwan and the
South China Sea, while the rest 19 were assigned to the PLAAF Flight Test &
Training Base. In July 2001 China ordered the 2nd batch of 38 Su-30MKKs
worth $1.5 billion during Chinese President's visit to Moscow. All of them were
delivered to PLAAF 18th Division Stationed at Changsha Airbase. In
January 2003 China ordered 24 Su-30MK2s (featuring an
upgraded N001VEP radar able to fire Kh-31A AShM
to attack two targets simultaneously) for the PLA Naval Aviation. All were
reportedly delivered to China by the end of August 2004. Unfortunately one was
lost in March 2004 due to pilot error. The aircraft was later
replaced. Su-30MKK/MK2 is expected to be superceded by the
indigenous J-16 currently under development
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