Sukhoi
Su-22M4
The Su‑22M4 is the most recent export variant of the Soviet‑designed Su‑17 tactical fighter‑bomber, built by Sukhoi and assembled in Novosibirsk from the early 1990s until 2005. It evolved from the Su‑17M3, adding a stronger Saturn AL‑31F‑200 afterburning turbofan, digital fly‑by‑wire controls and an upgraded Klen‑P navigation/attack suite. Its hallmark variable‑sweep wing, movable between 16° and 70°, supplies good low‑speed handling for ground‑attack runs while still reaching Mach 1.7 in a dash. The aircraft can carry up to 4 000 kg of weapons, including laser‑guided bombs, air‑to‑air missiles and electronic‑warfare pods, making it a flexible multirole platform. The M4 also features modern avionics, a heads‑up display and NATO‑compatible stores, appealing to export customers such as India, Vietnam and Iraq. Approximately 70 Su‑22M4s were delivered between 1991 and 2005; they have been employed in the Syrian civil war and the 2020 Nagorno‑Karabakh conflict, proving the type’s durability. Though no longer a front‑line fighter, the Su‑22M4 remains significant as a cost‑effective, rugged strike aircraft that showcases Sukhoi’s ability to adapt a Cold‑War design for contemporary needs. Many operators have upgraded the airframe with new radar, GPS navigation and self‑protection suites, extending its operational relevance into the 2020s.