Su-27 Modernisation Programme

Last updated: 30 November 2006

Russian Kommersant online daily newspaper reported on 27 November 2006 that two Russian engine manufacturers, Salut Moscow Engineering Production Enterprise and Rybinsk Saturn, were competing to supply the engines to upgrade China’s Su-27 Flanker fighter aircraft. This was also the first report to have revealed the PLAAF’s intension to upgrade its Su-27 fleet.

According to the report, Salut offered its AL-31F-M1 turbofan engine, which is an improved variant of the AL-31F on the original Su-27. The AL-31F-M1 model features increased thrust (from 122.58kN to about 133kN with afterburning) and capacity. The engine was intended to be used to upgrade the existing Su-27/30 series fighter aircraft. The Al-31F-M1 development was completed in 2002. Upon approval of this upgrade package by Sukhoi, the engine is now being prompted to existing and future customers of the Su-27/30 series fighter.

Saturn proposed its latest 117S engine developed from the AL-31FP, which is being used to power the Indian Air Force’s Su-30MKI fighter. Though the 117S engine is more technologically advanced compared to AL-31F-M1, it’s development has yet been completed and the engine is still undergoing tests.

The PLAAF received its first and second batch of Su-27 fighters from Russia in 1992 and 1996 respectively. After a decade of service, these aircraft apparently began to show their age. Kommersant report suggested that the PLAAF planned to purchase 52 engines worth US$180 million to upgrade 26 Su-27 fighters (20 Su-27SKs and 6 Su-27UBKs) in 2007 to 2008. This may followed by additional engines to upgrade 22 Su-27 fighters (16 Su-27SKs and 6 Su-27UBKs) at later stage. Both companies believe that the PLAAF will eventually have to upgrade all of its 273 Sukhoi fighters (Su-27, Su-30, and J-11) with the new engine, extending the overall contract budget to US$2 billion.

Salut AL-31F-M1 turbofan (Source: Internet)