The Russian air force has taken delivery of its first two Sukhoi Su-30SM multirole fighters, with the pair having been delivered to the service's test and evaluation centre at Akhtubinsk, the nation's defence ministry said on 5 December.

 Su-30SM taxi - United Aircraft

United Aircraft

"Two Su-30SMs flew from Irkutsk to Akhtubinsk via Novosibirsk and Chelyabinsk," the air force confirms. The Irkut-built fighters arrived at the base on 22 November, according to United Aircraft.

 Su-30SM take-off - United Aircraft

Su-30SM - United Aircraft

Both images: United Aircraft

Moscow signed a production order in March 2012 to acquire 30 of the new fighters, the first of which made its flight debut on 21 September. Deliveries are due to be completed by 2015.

Source: FlightGlobal.com