I'm not a Sukhoi Su30/32 fan, but it seems to me the available space to put in a very large antenna and the payload available point to good long range/ BVR capabilities.
The bigger problem is that the Sukhois are enthusiastically exported and rebuild in and around Asia (China). In serious numbers.
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perators of the Su-30.png - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Combined that with:
- F22 age and export restriction
- US defense cuts
- questions around F35 performance and price
- earlier then expected/ hoped J-20, J-31 prototypes flying in China
.. and it becomes clear countries like Australia, Japan, Taiwan are getting nervous and have started their own, independent programs.
