The Sukhoi Su-27 (Russian: Сухой Су-27; NATO reporting nаme: Flanker) is a unique Soviet jet fighter designed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau (SDB) and produced in 1977. It is a direct rival to the United States’ fourth generation fighter aircraft (including the F-14 Tomcat, F-15 Eagle, F-16 FigҺting Falcon and F/A-18 Hornet). The Su-27 has a large operating range, is equipped with heavy weapons, and is extremely agile and flexible. The main task of the Su-27 is to fly air superiority missions, but it can also perform almost any combat mission.

From the basic design of the Su-27, many other versions have been built and continuously upgraded to perform different tasks:

The Su-30 is a two-seat, all-weather multi-role fighter, specializing in aerial combat and remote interception missions.
The Su-33 ‘Flanker-D’ is a fleet defense interceptor fighter developed from the design of the Su-27 and equipped on aircraft carriers. The main differences include the tail and canard arresters.
The Su-34 ‘Fullback’ is a bombing version against ground and sea targets, equipped with strong armor, an enlarged cockpit and an increased weapon load.
Su-35 ‘Flanker-E’ and Su-37 ‘Flanker-F’ are improved versions of air defense fighters with outstanding features in all aspects such as 3D jet direction engines, powerful air-to-air radar. , an ultra-long-range air-to-air mιssιle.

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As of May 2016, there were about 1,850 Su-27s and versions developed from it produced, more than the number of rival F-15 Eagle fighters produced by the US (1,712). The number of Su-27 versions produced will continue to increase in the future thanks to new orders, while the F-15 Eagle has ceased production.