The first of two Sukhoi Su-30MKM Flanker multi-role fighters ordered by the Royal Malaysian Air Force were unveiled on May 24 at Irkutsk Aviation Plant, Russia. Malaysian ordered 18 planes to strengthen its Air Force.
The two Su-30MKM (Russian acronym for Multi-role, Commercial, Malaysia) is an upgraded, custom-made version of the well-known, super-agile Su-30MKI fighter which was delivered to India in large quantities in 2002-2004.
Russian news agency Novosti reported from Moscow that the two planes would be delivered to Malaysia by the transport plane An-124 Ruslan on June 17 were officially received by Royal Malaysian Air Force Chief Azizan Arifin.
On the occasion, Irkut Corporation President Oleg Demchenko said the Su-30MKI and Su-30MKM supersonic fighter meet the highest standards demanded by customers. "Indian and Malaysian and other national air forces have already decided to purchase these aircraft," he added.
"This gives us the power of deterrence against any party that might think of disturbing Malaysia's sovereignty and security," Azizan was quoted as telling Malaysian journalists after witnessing a 10-minute acrobatic display of the aircraft's capabilities.
A spokesperson for the Rosoboronexport, the main Russian arms exporter, reminded the Royal Malaysian Air Force had chosen the Su-30MKM over the United States Air Force's F-18 Super Hornet in 2003. He said a contract for delivery of several Su-30MKM had been signed during President Vladimir Putin's official visit to Malaysia in August 2003.
Until then, the Malaysian Air Force had mostly flown Western aircraft and the Russian-made MiG-29 Fulcrum jet fighters. This year, Malaysia will receive most of its order of Su-30MKMs, and the rest will be supplied in 2008, said the spokesperson.
According to the Malaysian contract's offset clause, a service center for Russian aircraft will be established in Malaysia, and Moscow must also undertake to assist Kuala Lumpur in its space programme --- a Malaysian cosmonaut will be scheduled to be launched by Russia in near future.
The Sukhoi Design Bureau used the Su-30MKI to develop the Su-30MKM. Both planes feature similar airframes, up-to-date vectored-thrust engines and advanced digital avionics. But the Su-30MKM has different equipment, namely the French-made Thales head-up display (HUD), the Navigation Forward-Looking Infrared (NAVFLIR) system and the LDP Damocles laser-marker container.
The plane features AVITRONICS (South Africa) laser radiation warning sensors and systems for detecting approaching missiles and ECM (Electronic Counter-Measure) system, a state-of-the art phased-array radar capable of simultaneously tracking 15 targets and directing fire at four, and an optical radar with a laser rangefinder supplied by leading Russian companies.
Malaysia's news agency Bermana remarked that the successful experience in the use of the Su-30MKI in India has largely prompted Malaysia's decision to buy these planes.
Apart from Malaysian the Su-30 family is already in use with the Indonesian Air Force which recently has ordered additional six planes to add to the four existing Su-27s and Su-30s in forming a Sukhoi Squadron, Russia will be exporting the Sukhoi fighter jets to Algeria and Venezuela.
