"The Western Military District’s air regiment, stationed at the airfield in Khalino in the Kursk region, has been supplemented with two Su-30SM super-maneuverable fighters. In the course of the scheduled rearmament of the regiment, the generation 4+ Su-30SM fighters will form a squadron by the end of the year," the press service said.



According to the military department, the first pilots of the regiment have already practiced combat employment of the new aircraft during flight tactical exercises that involved training missile launches at the Ashuluk range in the Astrakhan region and during the active part of the strategic maneuvers Zapad 2017 (West 2017).



"In the near future, the first pair of aircraft will be put on alert for the first time to protect air borders," the press service added.



The Su-30SM fighter is designed to gain air superiority, block enemy airfields deep in the enemy rear, destroy air, land and sea targets, including at night and in difficult meteorological conditions. It is capable of employing current and advanced air-to-air and air-to-surface precision-guided weapons.