Yakovlev Corporation
Su-30MKM
The Sukhoi Su‑30MKM is a twin‑engine, two‑seat strike fighter developed by Russia’s Yakovlev (formerly part of the Sukhoi design bureau) for the Royal Malaysian Air Force. Its origins trace back to the early 1990s, when Yakovlev sought to create a modern multirole platform derived from the Su‑27 family. After extensive negotiations, Malaysia ordered the aircraft in 2002, and the first MKM entered service in 2007, marking the first export of the highly customized Su‑30 variant.
Key features include thrust‑vectoring Klimov RD‑33MK engines delivering 29 kN of afterburning thrust each, an advanced digital fly‑by‑wire flight control system, and a highly integrated avionics suite comprising a Russian‑made N011M Bars radar, a domestic Malaysian mission computer, and infrared search‑and‑track sensors. The airframe incorporates composite materials and can carry a wide array of air‑to‑air missiles, stand‑off weapons, and precision‑guided munitions on up to 12 hardpoints.
The Su‑30MKM has become a cornerstone of Malaysia’s air defence, showcasing the capability of a Russian‑designed fighter to be tailored for regional needs. Its blend of agility, payload capacity, and modern avionics has influenced subsequent export fighters and underscored the strategic importance of collaborative aerospace development.
Key features include thrust‑vectoring Klimov RD‑33MK engines delivering 29 kN of afterburning thrust each, an advanced digital fly‑by‑wire flight control system, and a highly integrated avionics suite comprising a Russian‑made N011M Bars radar, a domestic Malaysian mission computer, and infrared search‑and‑track sensors. The airframe incorporates composite materials and can carry a wide array of air‑to‑air missiles, stand‑off weapons, and precision‑guided munitions on up to 12 hardpoints.
The Su‑30MKM has become a cornerstone of Malaysia’s air defence, showcasing the capability of a Russian‑designed fighter to be tailored for regional needs. Its blend of agility, payload capacity, and modern avionics has influenced subsequent export fighters and underscored the strategic importance of collaborative aerospace development.
