Russia Plans to Provide Su-30 and Su-35 Fighter Jets to Sudan

Reports by Defense Arab indicate that the Sudanese Ministry of Defense is in talks with Russia to acquire Su-30 and Su-35 fighter jets, with the aircraft expected to be delivered under a deal that would grant Moscow rights to establish a major naval facility on the Red Sea.

Sudanese sources had previously spoken extensively about plans to purchase Su-35 fighters in late 2017 following the visit of former President Omar al-Bashir to Moscow. However, the ousting of the Sudanese government in early 2019 played a central role in halting those plans.

During the same period, Sudan obtained Chinese JL-9 trainer aircraft and was expected to become the first customer for the Chinese J-10C fighter before the deal was canceled due to instability and the economic downturn that followed the coup.

Since April 2023, Sudan has been engulfed in war after the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the rebel militia backed by mercenaries from Colombia and Central African countries, launched an attack on the central government.

Russian-made MiG-29 fighters purchased by Sudan in the early 2000s, along with Su-24M strike aircraft acquired from the Belarusian Air Force stockpile the following decade, currently form the backbone of the Sudanese Air Force. The MiGs have played a significant role in the ongoing conflict, conducting both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.

Acquiring the Su-30 and Su-35 would enable Sudan to retire older platforms and significantly enhance its combat capabilities with more advanced sensors, extended range, and superior armament.