The Ukrainian armed forces showed the wreckage of the destroyed Russian Su-30SM fighter jet worth $40 million, which is called an analogue of the F-35 Lightning II
Russian military aviation continues to have problems. The Ukrainian Armed Forces have shown the wreckage of another downed fighter jet. This time the Su-30SM.
Here's What We Know
The Su-30SM (RF-81773/Red 62) was destroyed in the skies over Izyum in the Kharkiv region. One such aircraft costs about $40 million, although export prices can exceed the $80 million level. In Russia, the Su-30SM is called an analogue of the American fifth-generation fighter jet F-35 Lightning II. No one else besides the Russians is making such claims. But that is a separate story.
The Su-30SM is a relatively new Russian fighter jet. It was developed based on the Su-30MKI, which Russia exports to India. The fighter made its first flight in 2012. In the same year, the Russian Air Force accepted two aircraft into service.
According to open sources, Russia had about 130 aircraft as of 2021. In addition, by 2027, the Su-30SM will be upgraded to the Su-30SM2 version, which will receive AL-41F-1S engines from the Su-35S.
Source: @horevica