thunderchief
Senior Member
Question that has being bugging me for while. Why is Russia buy Su-35 AND Su-30SM at the same time? The Su-35 should be able to do everything the Su-30SM can plus more. Is it cost? Time needed to produce?
Su-30SM main role will be ground attack , they will slowly replace some of the Su-24s alongside more dedicated Su-34 . Of course , Su-35 could do everything Su-30SM does and more , but they also cost more and for now they will be relegated mainly to air-defense . Also , Su-30 production lines need to be open for few my years (they may get more customers in the future , excluding India and their Super MKI ) and a good way to ensure that is some domestic orders .