✈️ Full Specifications
| Max Speed (Mach) | 2 |
| Max Speed | 2,120 km/h |
Quick answer: The Sukhoi Su-30 is a two-seat, twin-engine multirole branch of the Su-27 Flanker family. Its defining strengths are long range, a second crew member for complex missions, heavy weapons capacity, and—on variants such as the Su-30SME—thrust-vectoring maneuverability.
From Su-27 interceptor to multirole family
The Su-30 began as a long-range, two-seat derivative of the Su-27 and developed into a large family rather than one fixed configuration. Export and national variants have different radars, cockpit systems, engines, canards, weapons, and performance limits. That variation is important whenever two “Su-30” specification sheets appear to disagree.
UAC describes the current Su-30SME export configuration as a supermaneuverable two-seat aircraft able to engage air, ground, and maritime targets in difficult weather, while also supporting reconnaissance and crew training. The second seat allows the workload for navigation, sensors, weapons, and coordination to be shared on long missions.
Propulsion, payload, and avionics
The Su-30SME uses two AL-31FP afterburning turbofans with thrust-vectoring control. UAC lists 12 external stations and up to 8,000 kg of combat payload. Its weapons options include short- and medium-range air-to-air missiles, guided air-to-surface and anti-ship weapons, anti-radiation missiles, bombs, rockets, and a built-in cannon.
The official equipment summary includes radar, an electro-optical sighting and navigation system, helmet-mounted targeting, color multifunction displays, satellite navigation, and electronic countermeasures. Exact systems differ across the wider Su-30 family, including Indian, Chinese, Malaysian, Algerian, and Russian configurations.
Performance context
Generic Su-30 references often quote about Mach 2 for earlier variants. UAC gives the Su-30SME a maximum of Mach 1.75 and a 16,100 m service ceiling, illustrating why the variant name matters. It lists a flight range of about 3,000 km, or up to 5,600 km with aerial refueling. These are not combat-radius figures and should not be compared directly without matching payload and mission profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the Su-30 have two seats?
The second crew member can share navigation, sensor, weapons, and mission-management work, especially on long-range or complex multirole missions.
Do all Su-30 variants have the same performance?
No. Airframes, engines, thrust vectoring, canards, avionics, weapons, and published limits vary across the Su-30 family.
What is the Su-30SME maximum speed?
UAC lists Mach 1.75 for the Su-30SME. Other Su-30 variants are often listed near Mach 2, so comparisons should identify the exact model.