Sukhoi Su-30 story in colours. Sukhoi Su-30 fighter worldwide camouflage and painting schemes. Prototypes, experimental planes, variants, serial and licensed production, deliveries, units, numbers. Russia, India, China, Malaysia, Venezuela, Belarus, Ukraine, Algeria, Vietnam, Eritrea, Angola, Uganda

MALAYSIA

Sukhoi Su-30MKM

Data update:
October 2025
Country / user:
Malaysia
Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia (TUDM) = Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF)
In service:
Since 2007
Operational:
May 2010: 8 x Su-30MKM
2016: New Sukhoi technical center (STC) at the Gong Kedak air base here was officially inaugurated, for servicing of Su-30MKM aircraft as well as provide technical services, structure repair and modifications to the aircraft.
About 2021-2023 only a few planes are reportedly capable of flight. Myanmar maintains contacts with Russia to sustain their combat capabilities. This is evidenced, for example, by the regular visits of the Russian Knights aerobatic team to the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) in Langkawi Island (the first time in 1991, but thereafter regularly every two years: 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021 and - unexpectedly - in May 2023 with 6 Su-35M and Su-30SM). LIMA 2023 Myanmar Sukhois: M52-04, M52-05, M52-07, M52-17. LIMA 2023: M52-16 in occasional painting.
Deliveries
VI.2007: 2 x Su-30MKM
VII.2007: 2 x Su-30MKM
2007: 1 x Su-30MKM
III.2008: 4 x Su-30MKM (M52-06 ... M52-09)
2008-2009: 9 x Su-30MKM (M52-10 ... M52-18)
Manufacturer:
IAPO (Irkutsk Aircraft Production Association)
Contract for:
August 2003: 18 x Su-30MKM - realised.
Units:
Until 2020 11th, since then 12th Squadron, Gong Kedak air base.
June 2020: RMAF has formed an new squadron, specifically for the unmanned aerial system (UAS) to replace the Sukhois at the 11th Squadron, with the fighter jets now reassigned to the 12th Squadron at the Gong Kedak air base at the Kelantan-Terengganu border.
Bort numbers:
M52-01 M52-02 M52-03 M52-04 M52-05 M52-06 M52-07 M52-08 M52-09 M52-10 M52-11 M52-12 M52-13 M52-14 M52-15 M52-16 M52-17 M52-18
Remarks:

Contract for 18 x Su-30MKM was signed in 2003. After painful process of completing a multinational equipment, two prototypes was built in 2006 (rebuilded Su-30MKI no. 05 and 04 - third and fourth prototypes of Indian Su-30MKI, so called pre-production aircrafts).
Su-30MKM is based on indian Su-30MKI with Indian, Israeli and French equipment (incl. Thales IFF and HUD, laser targeting pod Damocles, mission alarm warning system MAWS 300, laser warning system LWS 350). Thrust vectoring engines Saturn AL-31FP.

First (one of two) prototype of Sukhoi Su-30MKM, end of 2006. Earlier that aircraft was a prototype of Su-30MKI.

Sukhoi Su-30MKM M52-05, end of 2007. Camouflage on drawing is correct, maybe a grey colour should be a little more blueish.

Sukhoi Su-30MKM M52-15, 2009/2010. Near cockpit is painted GIRO (name of the pilot) and ZAHID (Ahmad Zahid Hamidi), due to flight of the minister of the defense on Sukhoi in April 2010.

Repainted old veteran: former Su-30MKI prototype (third, 2000), former Su-30MKM prototype (second, 2006), in September 2011 repainted and displayed by "Irkut" before SibExpoCenter stand on 7th Baikal International Economic Forum in Irkutsk city. Drawing is little hipothetical on upper surfaces.

Sukhoi Su-30MKM M52-14 during LIMA 2013. Occasional "painting" - in fact, stickers on tail fins.

At least one aircraft was painted in 2019, presumably during maintenance or overhaul. Drawing is a little approximated.

Sukhoi Su-30MKM M52-16 during LIMA 2025. Occasional painting.
The aircraft appears with a special Toruk Makto themed livery, which takes inspiration from the legendary creature in the popular fiction film Avatar. Local media reported that the RMAF painted one of its Su-30MKMs with the Toruk Makto designation for a reason. In the film Avatar, the name Toruk Makto was given to the individual who successfully tamed and rode a Toruk, a powerful aerial creature nicknamed the Last Shadow. The RMAF compared the Su-30MKM pilots to the similar spirit and skill set.
Aircraft numer M52-16 were piloted by Gen. Asghar RMAF "Gunjiz", RMAF CoAF and Col. Norazan RMAF "Sting", Base Commander.

	MALAYSIA Sukhoi Su-30MKM
Data update:	October 2025
Country / user:	Malaysia Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia (TUDM) = Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF)
In service:	Since 2007
Operational:	May 2010: 8 x Su-30MKM 2016: New Sukhoi technical center (STC) at the Gong Kedak air base here was officially inaugurated, for servicing of Su-30MKM aircraft as well as provide technical services, structure repair and modifications to the aircraft. About 2021-2023 only a few planes are reportedly capable of flight. Myanmar maintains contacts with Russia to sustain their combat capabilities. This is evidenced, for example, by the regular visits of the Russian Knights aerobatic team to the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) in Langkawi Island (the first time in 1991, but thereafter regularly every two years: 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021 and - unexpectedly - in May 2023 with 6 Su-35M and Su-30SM). LIMA 2023 Myanmar Sukhois: M52-04, M52-05, M52-07, M52-17. LIMA 2023: M52-16 in occasional painting.
Deliveries	VI.2007: 2 x Su-30MKM VII.2007: 2 x Su-30MKM 2007: 1 x Su-30MKM III.2008: 4 x Su-30MKM (M52-06 ... M52-09) 2008-2009: 9 x Su-30MKM (M52-10 ... M52-18)
Manufacturer:	IAPO (Irkutsk Aircraft Production Association)
Contract for:	August 2003: 18 x Su-30MKM - realised.
Units:	Until 2020 11th, since then 12th Squadron, Gong Kedak air base. June 2020: RMAF has formed an new squadron, specifically for the unmanned aerial system (UAS) to replace the Sukhois at the 11th Squadron, with the fighter jets now reassigned to the 12th Squadron at the Gong Kedak air base at the Kelantan-Terengganu border.
Bort numbers:	M52-01 M52-02 M52-03 M52-04 M52-05 M52-06 M52-07 M52-08 M52-09 M52-10 M52-11 M52-12 M52-13 M52-14 M52-15 M52-16 M52-17 M52-18
Remarks:	Contract for 18 x Su-30MKM was signed in 2003. After painful process of completing a multinational equipment, two prototypes was built in 2006 (rebuilded Su-30MKI no. 05 and 04 - third and fourth prototypes of Indian Su-30MKI, so called pre-production aircrafts). Su-30MKM is based on indian Su-30MKI with Indian, Israeli and French equipment (incl. Thales IFF and HUD, laser targeting pod Damocles, mission alarm warning system MAWS 300, laser warning system LWS 350). Thrust vectoring engines Saturn AL-31FP. First (one of two) prototype of Sukhoi Su-30MKM, end of 2006. Earlier that aircraft was a prototype of Su-30MKI. Sukhoi Su-30MKM M52-05, end of 2007. Camouflage on drawing is correct, maybe a grey colour should be a little more blueish. Sukhoi Su-30MKM M52-15, 2009/2010. Near cockpit is painted GIRO (name of the pilot) and ZAHID (Ahmad Zahid Hamidi), due to flight of the minister of the defense on Sukhoi in April 2010. Repainted old veteran: former Su-30MKI prototype (third, 2000), former Su-30MKM prototype (second, 2006), in September 2011 repainted and displayed by "Irkut" before SibExpoCenter stand on 7th Baikal International Economic Forum in Irkutsk city. Drawing is little hipothetical on upper surfaces. Sukhoi Su-30MKM M52-14 during LIMA 2013. Occasional "painting" - in fact, stickers on tail fins. At least one aircraft was painted in 2019, presumably during maintenance or overhaul. Drawing is a little approximated. Sukhoi Su-30MKM M52-16 during LIMA 2025. Occasional painting. The aircraft appears with a special Toruk Makto themed livery, which takes inspiration from the legendary creature in the popular fiction film Avatar. Local media reported that the RMAF painted one of its Su-30MKMs with the Toruk Makto designation for a reason. In the film Avatar, the name Toruk Makto was given to the individual who successfully tamed and rode a Toruk, a powerful aerial creature nicknamed the Last Shadow. The RMAF compared the Su-30MKM pilots to the similar spirit and skill set. Aircraft numer M52-16 were piloted by Gen. Asghar RMAF "Gunjiz", RMAF CoAF and Col. Norazan RMAF "Sting", Base Commander.