MW: Russia deployed far from the most efficient fighters in Kaliningrad

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The Kaliningrad region of Russia is one of the most militarized regions of the country due to its potential vulnerability. It is separated from the mainland of the Russian Federation and is located on the Baltic coast between Poland and Lithuania, writes the American edition of Military Watch.

The enclave is home to the Baltic Fleet base, coastal anti-ship missiles, tank and artillery units, Iskander OTRK and S-400 air defense missile systems. From the air, this grouping is covered by the Su-27SM3 multipurpose fighters, which NATO hates most of all. They are armed with R-110 medium-range (up to 77 km) air-to-air missiles.



In December 2020, the Su-30SM multipurpose fighters also appeared there. In fact, Kaliningrad is a foothold in the depths of the Alliance's defenses.

Over the years, it was the improved Su-27s that caused the most trouble for NATO pilots. Su-27 entered service with the USSR in 1985. They were primarily designed for air warfare, so they had limited ground attack capabilities. In terms of their capabilities, they surpass the American F-15 Eagle fighters, designed to gain superiority in the skies. The Russians still have 150 units of these combat vehicles.

Exactly how many Su-27SM3 are deployed in Kaliningrad now is unknown. It is also unclear why Russia keeps far from its most efficient fighters in the enclave, because the Russian Aerospace Forces has at its disposal modern Su-35S, generation "4 ++", which are a much more advanced version of the Su-27. This can probably be explained by the "stuffing" of the Su-27SM3.

They are equipped with the Irbis-E radar, like the Su-35, and can simultaneously track up to 30 air targets, simultaneously hitting up to 8 of them. In addition, they are capable of detecting targets at a distance of up to 400 km, and stealth aircraft at more than 80 km. The reinforced Su-27SM3 glider allowed to increase the payload by 3 tons, and the number of suspension nodes increased from 8 to 12, i.e. became 2 times more than the F-16, and 3 times more than the F-35.

Su-27SM3 received more economical aircraft engines AL-31F-M1 to increase flight range and flight characteristics, as well as a fully glazed cockpit with four multifunctional displays. A new communication center was integrated into them and maintenance requirements were reduced. Most likely, these fighters will also be adapted to the use of more ammunition. For example, long-range missiles (over 300 km) R-37M will appear on them. Consequently, the potential for modernization of these aircraft has not yet been exhausted.

Thus, the Su-27SM3 are not old Su-27s and can be safely considered a 4+ generation fighter with capabilities similar to those of the Su-35. They also gained the ability to deliver more effective strikes against ground targets. Their very use in Kaliningrad indicates that the Russian military trusts these aircraft.

How long they will continue to be deployed in the Russian exclave and whether the latest Russian fighters will appear there will depend on the state of relations between Russia and NATO, as well as on what funds the United States is deploying in this region, the media concluded.
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    1. +2
      21 February 2021 18: 42
      North Koreans have 21 flies in general, no one twitches ;-)
      1. +1
        21 February 2021 19: 50
        Moreover, they use An 2 as attack aircraft.
      2. 0
        23 February 2021 04: 57
        What is North Korea. The Air Forces of China and India still have the MiG-21. According to the American Wiki, the Chinese Air Force has 1453 fighters. Of these, 528 are Chengdu J-7 (the aircraft is a development of the design of the MiG-21 produced under license).

      3. 0
        28 February 2021 13: 56
        Croatia also has MiG-21s in service. Maybe somewhere else in Europe.
    2. +2
      21 February 2021 19: 20
      Quote: zz811
      North Koreans have 21 flies in general, no one twitches ;-)

      Well, all over the world, here is, for example, information from the richest country using the following aircraft:
      The McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle is a fourth-generation American all-weather fighter. Designed for air superiority.
      The development of the aircraft was completed in 1972; put into operation in 1976. Used in the Middle East, the Persian Gulf and Yugoslavia. The F-15 Eagle fighter will remain in the US Air Force until 2025.
    3. +2
      22 February 2021 16: 17
      it is not clear why Russia keeps in the enclave far from its most combat-ready fighters

      firstly, the author himself partially answered this - these "dryers" are already sufficiently modernized, and secondly, the potential adversary, that is, the surrounding NATO countries, there is nothing super modern for confrontation either ...
      So it's a perfectly reasonable distribution of forces.
    4. +1
      22 February 2021 20: 09
      The author did not specify the main problem of our Kaliningrad Sushki ..
      They have a maximum speed of 1400 to 2500 km / h (depending on altitude).
      And the size of the area is 205 by 108 km. recourse
      It took off, and your main problem ... ... is not to accidentally fly to the neighbors. laughing
      In reality, here the flyers can work out only take-off and landing, for the rest a few minutes remain.
      On the other hand, all aviation is under the umbrella of its own air defense. smile
    5. -2
      23 February 2021 13: 53
      According to the Russian Military-Technical Cooperation Service, none of the Middle East countries showed interest in the export version of the Russian 57th generation Su-5E aircraft at the IDEX-2021 exhibition.
    6. +2
      24 February 2021 14: 49
      In the Kaliningrad region, it would be necessary to place several, for example, 8 units or 2 links, Su-34 with SAP-14 "Tarantul", i.e. electronic warfare stations of group protection. They are part of the REP L-256 "Khibiny-M" complex, which are made in the form of a container installed under the fuselage. And under such reliable protection, use the MiG-29 and Su-25 in the shock version. The Su-34 itself with the Tarantula should cover the Su-35. Then it will be a two with an impenetrable defense.
    7. 0
      28 February 2021 13: 54
      I give a standing ovation !!!! The aircraft received a FULLY GLAZED CABIN !!!!!!
      Well, finally, in the 21st century, we thought of sealing the cabins !!! Hurray comrades !!!!