Sukhoi Su-27 - Operators

Operators

Around 680 Su-27s were manufactured by the Soviet Union and Russia. This total includes only Su-27s and not later derivative aircraft.

Angola

People's Air and Air Defence Force of Angola had 7 Su-27s as of December 2010.

Belarus

Belarusian Air Force received 23 Su-27s from Soviet Union. Had 22 in service as of December 2010.

People's Republic of China

People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) had a fleet of 76 Su-27 fighters, consisting of 36 Su-27SKs and 40 Su-27UBKs. The Flankers were produced under three separate contracts by the Russian KnAAPO and IAPO plants. Delivery of the aircraft began in February 1991 and finished by September 2009. The first contract was for 18 Su-27SK and 6 Su-27UBK aircraft. The deal, known as '906 Project' within China, saw the Su-27 exported to a foreign country for the first time. In February 1991, an Su-27 performed a flight demonstration at Beijing's Nanyuan Airport. The official induction to service with the PLAAF occurred shortly thereafter. Chinese Su-27 pilots described its performance as "outstanding" in all aspects and flight envelopes. Differences over the payment method delayed the signing of the second, identical contract. For the first batch, 70% of the payment had been made in barter transactions with light industrial goods and food. Russian Federation argued that future transactions should be made in US dollars. In May 1995, Chinese Central Military Commission Vice Chairman, Liu Huaqing visited Russia and agreed to the term, on a condition that the production line of Su-27 be imported. The contract was signed the same year. Delivery of the final aircraft from the second batch, occurred in July 1996. In preparation for the expanding Su-27 fleet, the PLAAF sought to augment its trainer fleet. On December 3, 1999, a third contract was signed, this time for 28 Su-27UBKs. All 76 of the aircraft featured strengthened airframe and landing gear - result of the PLAAF demands that the fighter has a "usable" air-ground capability. As a result, the aircraft are capable of employing most of the conventional Air-to-Ground ordnance produced by Russia. Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) increased to 33,000 kg (72,750 lb). As is common for Russian export fighters, the active jamming device was downgraded- Su-27's L005 ECM pod was replaced with the L203/L204 pod. Furthermore, there were slight avionics differences between the batches. The first batch had N001E radar, while the later aircraft had N001P radar, capable of engaging two targets at the same time. Additionally, ground radar and navigational systems were upgraded. Of some note is that none of the aircraft are capable of deploying the R-77 "Adder" missile due to a downgraded fire control system.

At the 2009 Farnborough Airshow, Alexander Fomin- Deputy Director of Russia's Federal Service for Military-Technical Co-operation, confirmed the existence of an all-encompasing contract and an on-going licensed production of the Su-27 variant by the Chinese. The aircraft are being produced as the Shenyang J-11.

Eritrea

Eritrean Air Force received about 8 Su-27SK/27UBs in 2003. Had 6 Su-27s as of December 2010.

Ethiopia

The Ethiopian Air Force operates 11 Su-27SKs, 3 Su-27Ps, and 4 Su-27UBs.

Indonesia

Indonesian Air Force (Tentara Nasional Indonesia: Angkatan Udara) had 2 Su-27SK and 3 Su-27SKM fighters in service as of September 2010.

Kazakhstan

The Military of Kazakhstan operates 30 Su-27s as of December 2010. It had another 12 on order.

Russia

Russian Air Force had a fleet of 260 Su-27S/P aircraft, including 50 of the Su-27UB variant. Modernisation program began in 2004. As of November 2011, there are about 100 Su-27SM aircraft in service. The Russian Air Force received twelve Su-27SM3 aircraft in December 2011.

Ukraine

The Ukrainian Air Force had a fleet of 70 Su-27s. Only 16 remain in service; others have been placed in conservation and storage.

Uzbekistan

The Military of Uzbekistan has 25 in service.

Vietnam

Vietnam People's Air Force has 12 Su-27SKs and 3 Su-27UBKs.

United States

Two Su-27s were delivered to the United States in 1995. Two more were bought from Ukraine in 2009 by a private company to use for warbird exhibition.