Overview
The Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker is an originally Soviet (later Russian built) Fighter-interceptor that was built to combat the new 4th generation fighter aircraft being developed by NATO in the 1970s. The Su-27 first entered service in 1985 with the Soviet Air Forces although it was not considered fully operational until 1990. While the Su-27P was used by the Soviet Air Defence Forces, the Su-27S was used by the Soviet Air Forces.
The Su-27 was also exported to the PRC, Indonesia, Vietnam, Ethiopia and several other nations. Former Soviet Su-27s were inherited by the Russian Air Force, Russian PVO Strany, Ukrainian Air Force, Kazakhstan Air Force and several other CIS militaries.
Multiple variants of the Flanker have been built including a Naval Flanker (Su-27K/Su-33), a CAS aircraft (Su-32/Su-34) and a multi-role aircraft (Su-30). The Su-27 has also built license-built in the PRC as the J-11 and J-15.
The Flanker had seen action in Ethiopia in 1998 and recently is currently being employed by the Ukrainian Air Force and Russian Air Force in Ukraine.
Variants
- Su-27 Flanker-A - Pre-production model
- Su-27S Flanker-B - Soviet Air Forces model
- Su-27P Flanker-B - Soviet PVO Strany model
- Su-27UB Flanker-C - Trainer model
- Su-27K/Su-33 Flanker-D - Naval model
- Su-27KUB/Su-33UB - Naval trainer model
- Su-27M/Su-35 Flanker-E/F - Prototype
- Su-37 Flanker/Terminator - Prototype
- Su-27PU/Su-30 Flanker-C - two seat model of Su-27P
In Fiction
Soviet Air Force Su-27S Flanker-Bs appeared in the 1990 Japanese film BEST GUY, being engaged in a dogfight against JASDF F-15J Eagles.
