May 27, Pozirk. The first two Su-30SM2 fighter jets have arrived at a Belarusian military airfield, the defense ministry reported.
“These aircraft will be able to perform their main task—combat duty for air defense—as early as next week,” said Andrej Łukjanovič, the Belarusian Air/Air Defense commander.
Belarusian pilots have been retrained in Russia to fly the Su-30SM2s, he added.
The commander announced that Belarus will receive another batch of Su-30SM2s later this year and Mi-35M helicopters this week.
The Su-30SM2, an upgraded variant of the original Su-30SM, is reportedly equipped with longer-range guns, improved engines and has double the detection range of the Su-30SM, its predecessor that has been in service with the Belarusian Air/Air Defense Forces for several years. Russia sold at least eight Sukhoi Su-30SM aircraft to Belarus in 2019 and 2020.
The Su-30SM2 has a detachable wing with fuel tank inside to facilitate transportation by cargo aircraft, according to Rostec.
