Moscow, January 2 - In late December 2025, Russia advanced the delivery of additional Sukhoi Su-30SM2 multirole fighter jets to the Belarusian Air Force, marking the third batch received that year and underscoring the deepening military-technical cooperation between Moscow and Minsk. These advanced Sukhoi Su-30SM2 aircraft, produced by the Irkutsk Aviation Plant under the United Aircraft Corporation, arrived at a Belarusian airfield, with officials confirming they would undergo technical inspections before entering combat duty to protect national airspace within weeks. This transfer builds on prior deliveries in May and August 2025, transitioning from the original Su-30SM variant to the upgraded Su-30SM2, which enhances Belarus's aerial capabilities amid ongoing fleet modernization efforts.
The Sukhoi Su-30SM2 represents a significant upgrade over its predecessor, incorporating the powerful AL-41F-1S engines and Irbis-E radar from the Su-35S, providing superior maneuverability, extended range, and enhanced target detection. Equipped for air superiority, ground strikes, and maritime operations, these 4++ generation fighters carry high-precision weapons capable of engaging targets hundreds of kilometers away. Belarusian aviation leaders have praised the platform for meeting modern requirements, noting its expanded avionics and weapon suite that allow autonomous operations. This delivery aligns with a longstanding contract for Su-30 family aircraft, originally aimed at replacing aging Soviet-era MiG-29 and Su-25 fleets.
As part of broader Russia-Belarus defense integration within the Union State framework, the incorporation of additional Sukhoi Su-30SM2 jets strengthens joint air defense arrangements along NATO's eastern flank. Officials have indicated this is not the final batch, with projections suggesting further expansions to the Belarusian Su-30SM2 inventory in the near term. Complementing other 2025 transfers like Mi-35M helicopters and Tor-M2 systems, these fighters bolster regional airspace security and operational readiness.
Overall, Russia's accelerated provision of Sukhoi Su-30SM2 fighter jets to Belarus highlights sustained military support despite external pressures, enabling Minsk to field a more capable and modernized air force fleet focused on multirole combat effectiveness.