Russian air force receives new fighters

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IRKUTSK, Russia, Nov. 26 (UPI) -- The JSC Irkut Corp. has begun delivering Su-30SM fighter aircraft to the Russian air Force.

The first two of 30 aircraft on order were delivered last week, the company said, and the remainder will be handed over by 2015.

The Su-30SM multi-role fighter is the further development of the Su-30MK combat aircraft family and specifically designed for Russian military use. Details of the specialized requirements weren't fully detailed but are said to include the aircraft's radar system, radio and recognition system, ejection seats and a number of support systems.

The Sukhoi SU-30MKI, upon which the new aircraft is based, features thrust-vectoring controls and avionics systems sourced from a variety of countries, including Israel, India and France.

"We've been working for export for many years and now started to deliver aircraft to the Motherland," said JSC Irkut President Oleg Demchenko. "Nine of our new Yak-130s are flying at the Borisoglebsk training center to date and now we are delivering the first 2 Su-30SM fighters to the Russian air force.

"This is a historic event for our team, for the Sukhoi company and for the whole United Aircraft Corp."

JSC Irkut Corp. is part of JSC United Aircraft Corp.