Kazakhstan Opts for SU-30 Over French Rafale, Citing Affordability and Strategic Evasion of Potential Western Arms Embargoes

Kazakhstan recently made a strategic decision regarding its Air Force, opting to purchase Russian-made Su-30SM fighters over France's Rafale jets. Yerzhan Nildibayev, Kazakhstan’s Deputy Chief of Air Defence and head of the primary armaments division, announced the choice, emphasizing the Su-30SM's cost-effectiveness as the determining factor.

This decision arises amidst France’s Dassault Aviation's efforts to market its Rafale jets to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, countries that are operating older fleets of Soviet-era jets, including Kazakh MiG-29 strike fighters and Uzbek Su-27 air superiority fighters, slated for retirement.

Kazakhstan, renowned for possessing Central Asia's most advanced Air Force, commenced the induction of Su-30SMs into its fleet in 2015. The acquisition, totaling 23 fighters across multiple procurement contracts, is part of Kazakhstan's ongoing efforts to modernize its Air Force capabilities.

The preference for expanding the Su-30SM fleet is underlined by the advantages of continuity within a familiar fighter class. This approach circumvents the complexities associated with introducing a new aircraft variant, such as the need for distinct training, spare parts, infrastructure, and weapon system compatibility.

Presently, Kazakhstan's Air Force predominantly comprises Su-30SMs and 32 MiG-31 interceptors spread across two squadrons. The Su-30SM's larger radar and extended range provide enhanced situational awareness, a crucial advantage given Kazakhstan's vast territorial expanse.

While the Rafale boasts lower operational costs and certain advanced capabilities, potential embargoes on spare parts from Western arms suppliers and compatibility issues with Kazakhstan's existing Russian equipment pose challenges. Additionally, the Rafale falls short in terms of area coverage and range compared to the Su-30SM, influencing Kazakhstan's decision.

By choosing the Su-30SM, Kazakhstan aims to maintain operational efficiency and bolster its defense capabilities without encountering significant logistical hurdles or compromises in its existing infrastructure and military systems.

Kazakhstan takes delivery of 4 Su-30SMs

Kazakhstan has taken delivery of four Su-30SM fighters recently. Kazakhstan has an order for 24 such examples. So far, 12 have been delivered.
mod.gov.kz

Kazakhstan to boost Su-30SM fleet

Announced during the KADEX exhibition in Astana on 24 May, the new deal is for an undisclosed number of aircraft. "The contract will be completed in 2020," says Irkut.
The Kazakhstan air force has eight Su-30SMs in active use, with these aged at up to three years. A further 17 examples were already on order prior to the new deal being announced. Astana had previously expressed interest in acquiring up to another 11 of the two-seat type. The Kazakhstan air force also operates 12 single-seat Su-27s.
flightglobal

Kazakhstan plans to acquire additional Su-30SM fighter aircraft

Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) is planning to procure additional Sukhoi Su-30SM multirole fighter aircraft from Russia, according to a 6 March report by Russian news agency TASS.
“Within the framework of the agreement on military-technical co-operation with the Russian Federation in 2018, the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Kazakhstan plans to conclude a contract for the supply of Su-30SM multirole aircraft, and until 2020 it has planned to purchase [additional] Su-30SM aircraft and Mi-35 helicopters,” the MoD in Astana told TASS without providing further details or the number of additional aircraft to be procured.
janes

Russia's MiG-31 to Stay in Service Until 2026

The MiG-31 interceptor aircraft will stay in service with the Russian Air Force until 2026, the head of the MiG corporation said Wednesday.
The Russian Air Force has over 120 MiG-31 interceptors in service and more aircraft in reserve.
The MiG-31, the fastest fighter-interceptor in service anywhere in the world, has been the subject of a comprehensive upgrade to MiG-31BM standard.
The upgraded MiG-31 aircraft is able to perform all tasks within a radius of 4,000 kilometers (2,500 miles).
The MiG-31 is a long-range supersonic interceptor jet. The two-seater aircraft can intercept targets up to 200 kilometers (124 miles) away thanks to its advanced radar and long-range missiles. It can operate efficiently in all weather conditions and is equipped with state-of-the-art digital avionics.
The MiG-31 was first used in the Soviet Air Force in 1981. Production of the aircraft ended in 1994 but it remains in service in the Russian and Kazakh air forces.
sputniknews

Kazakhstan to acquire Su-30SM fighters

Kazakhstan is to acquire the Sukhoi Su-30SM 'Flanker' as it looks to recapitalise its Soviet-era fighter force.
The disclosure was made by the Commander in Chief of the Kazakhstan Air Defence Forces , during a visit to the Irkutsk Aviation Plant where the Su-30SM is built.
The government announcement did not disclose aircraft numbers or delivery timelines.
The Su-30SM has been developed from the Indian Su-30MKI and is intended by the Russian Air Force as a stop-gap until the Su-35 and Sukhoi T-50 PAK-FA enter service later in the decade. The two-seat Su-30SM features an improved radar, communications, and ejector-seat system. In addition, the aircraft's weaponry configuration has been adjusted to Russian specifications.
Kazakhstan currently fields MiG-27, Su-25, MiG-31, Su-27, and MiG-29, all inherited from the Soviet Union in the early 1990s.
Kazakhstan has recently been procuring Western aircraft for the first time in the guise of the Airbus C295 transport aircraft, as well as EC145 and Bell UH-1 Huey II helicopters (and has been touted as a potential customer of the Airbus A400M transport aircraft).
janes

MiG-31 Flights Suspended in Russia After Crash

Russia’s Air Force has grounded all MiG-31 Foxhound interceptor jets while investigators establish the cause of a crash of one of the planes.
The temporary suspension was imposed after a MiG-31 crashed near the Tsentralnaya Uglovaya airbase outside Vladivostok in Russia’s Far East on Saturday.
Investigators are examining the maintenance record of the plane, which they said crashed while on its first qualifying flight after a major overhaul. The Defense Ministry announced that one of the MiG-31’s two engines failed just before the accident.
A MiG-31 crashed in Kazakhstan in April, killing its pilot and injuring its navigator, four months after it had been overhauled. Kazakhstan, the only other country to use the MiG-31, temporarily suspended flights following the crash.
The Russian Air Force has 122 MiG-31 in service.
A modernization program was launched in 2011 to give the 30-year-old jet new radar, avionics, cockpit displays and a firing control system that can track ten targets simultaneously. Sixty of the upgraded models, designated the MiG-31BM, are to be delivered by 2020.
Russia announced in September 2012 that a MiG-31 squadron would be stationed on the Arctic island of Novaya Zemlya as part of a nationwide air defense system. The Air Force said in August that it plans to keep MiG-31s in service until at least 2028.
ria.ru

Airbus Military delivers first two C295 to Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan has taken delivery of the first two C295 transport aircraft that it ordered last year, marking Airbus Military´s entry into the CIS regional market.
The aircraft, the first two on firm contract and a further six on options to be progressively confirmed in the coming years, were formally handed over in Sevilla before the ferry flights, via Astana, to Almaty, where they will be based. They were earlier technically accepted in Seville by a combined team of Kazspetsexport, the Kazakhstan Ministry of Defence, and the Kazakhstan Air Forces. Both aircraft will be used in support of transport missions throughout the nation´s vast territory. The purchase contract additionally covers the related service support package for spare parts and ground support equipment.

eads