The Su-27 Flanker is a single-seat, twin-engine Mach-2 class jet fighteroriginally manufactured by the Soviet Union, and designed by the Sukhoi DesignBureau. It was intended as a direct competitor for the large United Statesthree generation fighters, with 3,530-kilometre range, heavy armament,sophisticated avionics and high maneuverability. The Su-27 most often flies airsuperiority missions, but is able to perform almost all combat operations.Complementing the smaller MiG-29, the Su-27's closest US counterpart is theF-15 Eagle.

Thereare several related developments of the Su-27 design. The Su-30 is a two-seat,dual-role fighter for all-weather, air-to-air and air-to-surface deepinterdiction missions.