Malaysia upgrades SU‑30 jets amid spare parts shortage mystery
Malaysia has announced that it has independently upgraded its Su-30 fighters, reports the Ukrainian portal Defense Express. This is surprising, as the country previously faced issues with the availability of spare parts for these aircraft.
Malaysia owns 18 Su-30MKM fighters, and by early February 2024, the country had issues because the equipment requires constant maintenance. However, due to sanctions imposed on the Russian defense industry, Malaysia was unable to obtain spare parts. Consideration was even given to retiring these machines, but the problem was somehow resolved.
Did help come from India?
From initial plans to retire the Su-30MKM fighters from the arsenal, Malaysia solved the problem with the lack of parts and announced that it succeeded in extending the life of the aircraft. The service work was carried out by the state-owned corporation Aerospace Technology Systems (ATSC), established to provide technical support for the Su-30MKM. According to Defense Express, the cost of modernizing one aircraft is $27 million. The service allowed them to increase the service life of each machine by 1,500 flight hours or 10 years of operation.
However, it remains a mystery how Malaysia managed to carry out the Su-30 modernization program when plans to withdraw the aircraft from use were still being considered in 2024. Analysts from Defense Express suggest that Malaysia may have received assistance from India. It is from this country that the parts necessary to carry out maintenance may have originated.
Russians also have problems
It is also worth noting that the Russians themselves are currently experiencing significant issues with the availability of aircraft components, forcing them to rely on allies and seek support abroad. For instance, in 2022-2023, the Russian producer of the Su-30 purchased components for its aircraft abroad for nearly $420 million. During that time, Malaysia was one of the countries from which the Russian Federation bought parts.
Let us clarify that the Su-30MKM is a variant of the Su-30 dedicated to the Malaysian Air Force (and a development of the export version Su-30MK). The propulsion of this aircraft comprises two Lyulka AL-31FP turbofan engines, which propel the plane to a maximum speed of 1,317 mph at high altitudes. The Su-30MKM range is estimated to be 1,864 miles. The armament of this fighter primarily includes a 30 mm GSh-30-1 aircraft cannon. Additionally, there is room for extra weaponry placed on 12 attachment points with a total carrying capacity of up to 17,857 lbs.
