KnAAPO Su-30MKK/MK2 Flanker G
China's acquisition of the Flanker B/C triggered a series of 'tit for tat' buys of Flanker variants across Asia. The most important of these was a complex import and coproduction deal with India, for the IAPO/Irkut Su-30MKI Flanker H, a derivative of the IAPO SU-30 Flanker F, but incorporating the N-011M phased array radar, thrust vectoring AL-31FP engines, digital flight controls, aerial refuelling probe, canard foreplanes, glass cockpit, and numerous other developmental features used in the Russian Air Force Su-27M/Su-35 Flanker E and Russian Navy Su-27K/Su-33 Flanker D.
In response to the Indian buy, the PLA-AF ordered the unique Su-30MKK Flanker G variant, acquiring 38 aircraft in 2001 and another 38 in 2003. Chinese sources claim three operational regiments are now equipped, assigned to the PLA-AF 3rd Division at Wuhu, Anhui, the 18th Division at Datuopu, Changsha, Hunan and the 29th Division at Quzhou, Zhejiang.
The Flanker G is an analogue to the F-15E Strike Eagle, and is a derivative of the Su-30PU series of dual seat interceptors, adapted to the strike role. The aircraft is structurally strengthened, has heavier undercarriage, an aerial refuelling probe, a color glass cockpit, and a radar and weapon system intended to deliver guided munitions, while retaining the full air to air capabilities of the Flanker B/C. Chinese sources claim some of these aircraft are plumbed for external fuel tanks and rated for a maximum takeoff weight of 85,000 lb.
Other than structural changes, the principal distinction in the Su-30MKK is the weapon system. The newer N-001V series radar has extensive air to ground modes, and the digital fire control system has interfaces to support a range of guided weapons. These include the Kh-59M/AS-18 Kazoo series, analogous to the US AGM-142 Have Nap, the Kh-31P/AS-17 Krypton ramjet anti-radiation missile, the KAB-500L and KAB-1500L laser guided bombs, analogous to the US Paveway series, the KAB-500Kr and KAB-1500Kr TV guided bombs, analogous to the US GBU-8 HOBOS, and the KAB-1500TK, analogous to the US GBU-15 electro-optical weapon. The Russians are currently testing the KAB-500S-E and KAB-1500S-E with satellite aided inertial guidance, analogous to the US JDAM series. The PLA-AF fleet is expected to be equipped with the Russian Sapsan-E FLIR/laser targeting pod, analogous to the AAQ-13 LANTIRN targeting pod used initially on the F-15E.
The PLA-N Air Arm was evidently not satisfied with the domestically built JH-7 Flying Leopard strike fighter, and opted to expand its fleet by acquiring the Su-30MK2, a derivative of the Su-30MKK, with a rated maximum takeoff weight of 85,000 lb. The Su-30MK2 has an enhanced weapon system optimized for maritime strike, built around the N-001VEP radar. The radar will target the supersonic Kh-31A variant, equipped with an active radar seeker for anti-shipping strike. A radar guided derivative of the Kh-59M, the Kh-59Mk, was also developed for the PLA-N Flanker G. Chinese sources claim that 36 Su-30MK2 aircraft were ordered, with deployment as yet undisclosed.
The Russians were reported to be developing a third PLA variant of the Su-30, the Su-30MK3. This subtype was to incorporate the 'Panda' upgrade package for the N-001 radar, including a signal processor upgrade based on COTS software and a Ts-100 processor, and the new Pero phased array. The Pero, developed by NIIP and Ryazan GRPZ, is a reflective passive phased array antenna, replacing the legacy cassegrain design. It is lighter than the legacy design, but offers similar beamsteering agility to the latest Western AESAs. There have been no disclosed orders to date, and some reports suggest this program is no longer funded.