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As part of a USD $4.9 billion deal, Russia and India signed a contract in November 1996 for the delivery of 50 big Su-30 multi-purpose twin-seat fighters, the newest member of Sukhoi’s SU-27 Flanker family. The first 18 aircraft had the same capabilities as the Su-30K air superiority variant, but follow-up aircraft offered the multi-role SU-30MKI configuration upgraded with thrust vectoring AL-31FP engines, improved avionics and canards. India received 18 of the early SU-30K standard, and they have been featured at COPE India 2004 and COPE India 2005 exercises with the USA. India has also received 32 of the later-model SU-30MKI aircraft from Irkut and has 140 more on order, to be produced under license by Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) with some assistance from Sukhoi kits.
F-15C, Mirage 2000
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As HAL production of the SU-30MKI begins, India is now selling off its 18 SU-30K fighters to Belarus for a reported $300 million. At under $17 million per plane, that figure represents a significant bargain to Belarus, which currently operates 23 related SU-27P aircraft and will upgrade the new planes to an SU-30KN standard. India, meanwhile, earns money it can put to other uses, and avoids the need to add an SU-30K upgrade program to its existing full pattern. India Defence has further details.