Kazakhstan's Air Force received undisclosed number of Su-30SM fighter aircraft

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World Defense & Security News - Kazakhstan
 
 
Kazakhstan's Air Force received undisclosed number of Su-30SM fighter aircraft
 
An undisclosed number of Sukoi Su-30SM fighter jets have been delivered to the Air Force of Kazakhstan by the Irkut Corporation, part of the Sukoi group. Flight crews and technical staff of the Air Force of the Republic of Kazakhstan had earlier been trained on Su-30SM systems at the Irkutsk Aviation Plant in Russia.
     
     
In Rio de Janeiro, during the International Defense and Security Exhibition the head of the Irkut Corporation delegation Viktor Lichaev talked about the shipment of four Su-30 SM fighters to Kazakhstan.

Kazakhstan is likely to receive four Su-30SM fighter aircraft in 2015. “The shipment has virtually started. Two fighters have been shipped and two are on their way. These aircrafts will participate in the parade in Kazakhstani this year,” Lichaev said referring to the 70th Anniversary of Victory Day parade, reports Tengrinews.

Air Force Maj. Gen. Nurlan Ormanbetov, head of the country's air force, was quoted as saying that the receipt of the aircraft "significantly increases" protection of the country's borders.

The Su-30SM is a multi-role fighter aircraft developed by JSC Sukhoi Design Bureau for the Russian Air Force. It is an advanced derivative of the Su-30MK combat aircraft family. The Su-30SM is capable of carrying an advanced weapons payload weighing up to 8t. The aircraft can be armed with a machine gun, bombs, air-to-air missiles, and Oniks (Yakhont) supersonic anti-ship and land attack missiles. Developed by NPO Mashinostroyeniya, Oniks served as a basis for the BrahMos supersonic missile. Oniks has an operational range of 120km to 300km depending on altitude.