Belarus buys Su-30SM multipurpose aircraft from Russia

By 2020, Belarus plans to purchase from Russia at least a squadron of Su-30SM multipurpose aircraft, as stated by the commander of the Belarusian Air Force and Air Defense Oleg Dvigalev.

The Su-30SM is an upgraded version of the Su-27 fighter to replace the outdated, albeit partially modernized, Su-27 and Su-24 Belarusians. Taking into account the financial possibilities of Belarus, the purchase consists of three options: with a large discount, a long-term loan or purchase on the basis of a lease agreement.

In February 2016, the Belarusian Ministry of Defense announced a preliminary agreement with the Russian corporation Irkut for the purchase of a Su-30SM to replace the 30-year-old MiG-29 aircraft. As reported by "Belorusskiye Novosti", on Tuesday four training aircraft and combat Yak-130 were delivered to the airbase in Lida. This is the second batch of cars assembled in Irkutsk (the first was shipped to Belarus last year), purchased by Belarus from a Russian plant.