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Su-27

Sukhoi · Fighter / Attack · Russia · Cold War (1970–1991)

Su-27 — Fighter / Attack
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The Sukhoi Su-27 (NATO reporting name Flanker) is a Soviet/Russian twin-engine, single-seat, supersonic air-superiority fighter developed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau and produced from 1982 to the present. Designed as the Soviet Union's counterpart to the U.S. F-15 Eagle, the Su-27 entered Soviet Air Force service in 1985 for sustained air-superiority duty against Western fighters. From this airframe came one of the most prolific fighter lineages in modern aviation history — Su-30 multirole, Su-33 carrier-based, Su-34 strike-bomber, Su-35 upgraded air-superiority, the Su-37 prototype, and further derivatives. More than 800 Su-27 family aircraft have been produced. The type remains in active service with Russia, China, Ukraine, India, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Algeria, Venezuela, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Angola, Belarus, and Kazakhstan.

Twin-engined and twin-tailed with a blended wing-body, the Su-27 measures 71 ft (21.9 m) long with a 48-ft (14.7 m) wingspan. Empty weight is 36,000 lb; maximum take-off weight 76,000 lb. Power comes from two Saturn-Lyulka AL-31F afterburning turbofans rated at 17,800 lbf dry and 27,600 lbf with afterburner each — comparable thrust class to the U.S. F100. Top speed is Mach 2.35 (1,550 mph at altitude), service ceiling 62,500 ft, and combat radius 800 nmi on internal fuel only (no external tanks). Distinctive features include the integrated wing-fuselage blending — which reduces radar cross-section and increases internal fuel volume — 10 external hardpoints, an infrared search-and-track sensor paired with the Pulse-Doppler radar, a GSh-301 30mm cannon, and the high-angle-of-attack flight authority that made the signature 'Pugachev's Cobra' manoeuvre possible.

The Su-27's principal mission is air-superiority — defeating enemy fighters in beyond-visual-range and within-visual-range combat. Standard armament is 1× GSh-301 30mm cannon (150 rounds) plus 10 hardpoints carrying up to 10 air-to-air missiles. Available rounds include the R-27 (AA-10 Alamo) medium-range semi-active radar/infrared missile, the R-73 (AA-11 Archer) short-range high-off-boresight infrared missile, the R-77 (AA-12 Adder) active-radar BVR missile carried on later variants, and the very-long-range hypersonic R-37 (AA-13 Arrow) on later variants. This loadout makes the Su-27 a strong air-to-air opponent against U.S. and other Western fighters. Air-to-ground weapons on the original Su-27 are limited; the Su-30 and Su-34 derivatives expanded ground-attack work greatly.

Combat history dates from 1985. Soviet Air Force and Russian Aerospace Forces Su-27s have flown continuous air-defence and QRA (Quick Reaction Alert) intercepts of NATO probing flights, fought in the First and Second Chechen Wars (1994-2009), the 2008 Russo-Georgian War, and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war (2014-present), in which Russian Su-27 family losses have been heavy. Vietnamese People's Air Force flights continue. During the Eritrea-Ethiopia War (1998-2000), Eritrean Su-27s engaged Ethiopian Su-27s — one of the few air-to-air engagements ever fought between Su-27 airframes, with reported kills on both sides. Total Su-27 production exceeds 800 across Russian and Chinese-licensed J-11 lines. Russia continues to produce Su-30, Su-34, and Su-35 variants at Sukhoi's KnAAPO plant in Komsomolsk-on-Amur and at Irkut in Irkutsk.

For Kids — a shorter, friendlier version

The Sukhoi Su-27 (NATO code Flanker) is a Russian fighter jet. It first flew in 1977 and entered service in 1985. The Su-27 was Russia's answer to the American F-15 Eagle. It is big, fast, and one of the most agile fighters ever built.

The Su-27 has two Saturn-Lyulka AL-31F jet engines, each making 27,600 pounds of thrust with afterburner. Top speed is Mach 2, faster than a rifle bullet. The plane is 71 feet long with a 48-foot wingspan, longer than a school bus.

The Su-27 is famous for an air-show trick called the Pugachev Cobra. The pilot pulls the plane's nose straight up while still flying forward, then drops it back down. This shows how the Su-27 can fly at very high angles without stalling. No other 1980s fighter could do this.

From the Su-27 came a whole family of fighters: the Su-30 two-seat multirole jet, the Su-33 carrier fighter, the Su-34 strike bomber, and the Su-35 newer air-fighter. About 800 Su-27 family aircraft have been built. Russia, China, India, Vietnam, and many others fly them today.

Fun Facts

  • The Su-27 was Russia's answer to the American F-15 Eagle.
  • Top speed is Mach 2, faster than a rifle bullet.
  • The Su-27 is 71 feet long, longer than a school bus.
  • The Su-27 family has 7+ versions: Su-30, Su-33, Su-34, Su-35, and more.
  • The Pugachev Cobra air-show trick was first done in a Su-27.
  • About 800 Su-27 family jets have been built.
  • Russia, China, India, Vietnam, and many others fly Su-27s.

Kids’ Questions

What is the Pugachev Cobra?

The Pugachev Cobra is an air-show trick where the pilot pulls the plane's nose straight up while the jet keeps flying forward. The plane ends up flying belly-first like a snake rising. Then the pilot drops the nose back down to normal flight. Test pilot Viktor Pugachev showed this off at the 1989 Paris Air Show, surprising Western viewers.

How is it different from an F-15?

The Su-27 and the American F-15 are about the same size and have two engines. The Su-27 can fly slower and pull tighter turns than the F-15, thanks to its blended wing-body shape and digital flight controls. The F-15 has a better long-range radar and missiles. In a close-up dogfight, the Su-27 often wins.

How many versions are there?

The Su-27 family includes the Su-30 two-seat jet, the Su-33 carrier fighter, the Su-34 strike bomber, and the Su-35 newer air-fighter. The Su-37 was a prototype that did not enter service. Many countries fly Su-30 versions built in Russia or India. China builds its own copy called the J-11. The family is one of the biggest in jet fighter history.

Variants

Su-27 (initial 'Flanker', 1985)
Original 1985 production variant with AL-31F engines, Pulse-Doppler radar, and R-27/R-73 missiles. Over 600 delivered to the Soviet Air Force and Russian Aerospace Forces — the backbone of Soviet/Russian air-superiority forces.
Su-27SK (export)
Export variant tailored to foreign operators in national configurations. Operated by China (initial Su-27SK before J-11 licensed production), Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Angola.
Su-30 (multirole derivative)
Two-seat multirole derivative adding a rear cockpit, multirole mission systems, and air-to-ground weapons. Major export programme — India (Su-30MKI), China (Su-30MKK/MK2), Algeria, Venezuela, Vietnam. Separate Su-30 entry.
Su-33 'Sea Flanker' (Russian Navy carrier)
Russian Navy carrier-based variant — 24 in service, operating from the Admiral Kuznetsov. Frontline use is limited by sparse Russian carrier deployment. Separate Su-33 entry.
Su-34 'Fullback' (strike-bomber)
Redesigned strike-bomber variant with tandem cockpit, updated mission systems, and expanded air-to-ground weapons. More than 200 in Russian Aerospace Forces service. Separate Su-34 entry.
Su-35 (upgraded air-superiority)
Upgraded multirole variant with the more powerful AL-41F engines, Irbis-E AESA radar, and a new cockpit. Over 100 in Russian service. Separate Su-35 entry.
J-11 (Chinese licensed production)
Chinese licensed production by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation. Initial licensed Su-27SK assembly was followed by Chinese-developed J-11B/J-11D variants that diverged from the Russian design. Over 250 J-11 in PLAAF service. Separate J-11 entry.

Notable Operators

Russian Aerospace Forces
Primary operator with over 225 Su-27/Su-27SM in active service across multiple regiments providing air-defence and air-superiority over Russia. Combat-deployed in the Russia-Ukraine war from 2022 with heavy losses across Su-27, Su-30, Su-34, and Su-35 to Ukrainian air defences and air-to-air engagements.
China (PLAAF)
Major export customer. Initial Su-27SK procurement was followed by licensed J-11 production. Over 250 J-11/J-11B/J-11D in PLAAF service. Russia has alleged unauthorized technology transfer behind the J-11B/J-11D divergence from the original design.
India
Major export customer. Over 250 Su-30MKI in Indian Air Force service — the largest Su-30 fleet in any single nation. Ongoing upgrade work keeps the Su-30MKI in service through 2030+.
Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Algeria, Venezuela, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Angola, Ukraine
Export operators of the Su-27/Su-27SK/Su-30 line across more than 12 nations. Eritrea and Ethiopia engaged each other in air combat using the type during the Eritrea-Ethiopia War (1998-2000).

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Su-27 compare to F-15 Eagle?

Both are twin-engine air-superiority fighters of similar era and intent. The F-15 entered service in 1972 with AN/APG-63/AN/APG-70/AN/APG-82 radars and AIM-7/AIM-9/AIM-120 missiles, flown by the USAF, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and others. The Su-27 entered service in 1985 with N001 Pulse-Doppler/Irbis-E radars and R-27/R-73/R-77 missiles, flown by Soviet/Russian and export operators. In within-visual-range combat the Su-27 is generally rated comparable to the F-15 — favourable manoeuvrability plus the R-73 high-off-boresight missile and helmet-mounted sight — while the F-15 holds the edge in beyond-visual-range fights through superior radar and the AIM-120 AMRAAM. Both designs have evolved across multiple variants; the F-15EX competes today with the Su-35 and Su-57.

What is 'Pugachev's Cobra'?

It is a high-angle-of-attack flight manoeuvre named after Soviet test pilot Viktor Pugachev, first publicly demonstrated by an Su-27 at the 1989 Le Bourget Air Show. The aircraft pitches up to roughly 110° angle of attack — briefly flying tail-first relative to the airflow — holds the position momentarily, then recovers. The manoeuvre showcases the Su-27's flight-control authority and thrust-to-weight ratio. Real-world combat utility is limited because most engagements occur at far lower angles of attack, but the demonstration cemented the Su-27's reputation for high manoeuvrability.

What are the Su-27 derivative variants?

The major derivatives are the Su-30 (two-seat multirole), Su-33 (Russian Navy carrier), Su-34 (strike-bomber), Su-35 (upgraded air-superiority with new systems), Su-37 (thrust-vectoring prototype), J-11 (Chinese licensed production), and J-16 (Chinese strike variant), plus sub-variants of each. The Su-27 lineage is one of the most prolific in modern aviation history, with total production exceeding 800 airframes across all variants.

Has Su-27 been used in combat?

Yes — extensively. Major combat use includes Soviet/Russian operations in Chechnya (1994-2009), the Russia-Georgia War (2008), the Eritrea-Ethiopia War (1998-2000) where Su-27s engaged one another in air combat, and the Russia-Ukraine war (2022-present), in which Russian Su-27/Su-30/Su-34/Su-35 losses have been heavy. The Russia-Ukraine war has provided the most demanding combat test of the Su-27 line in a peer-conflict environment, with mixed results reflecting both platform strengths and Russian doctrine limitations.

How much does Su-27 cost?

Roughly $30M USD per airframe at Russian export pricing in the 2010s. Modern Su-30SM2/Su-35/Su-34 export prices run $60-90M USD per airframe. The Su-27/Su-30 lineage is priced below equivalent Western fighters — F-15 around $80M, F-35 around $80M, Eurofighter Typhoon $100-120M — making it attractive for nations facing U.S. export restrictions or seeking lower-cost alternatives. Operating cost runs $35-45,000 per flight hour, comparable to U.S. equivalents.

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