Which fighter jets were sent to Syria by Putin?
Israeli satellites recently detected two advanced Russian S-57 fighter jets at the Hmeimim air base in Syria.
A Russian official revealed that the Su-57 deployed to Syria acts as a shield against "aircraft from neighboring countries that regularly enter Syrian airspace uninvited."
Other satellite images from July 2017 also show 10 other types of Russian aircraft, a total of 33, at the base in Latakia province. However, the total number of aircraft could be higher, as some were on missions or operating elsewhere at the time of the images.
Moscow first sent warplanes to Syria in 2015, in support of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime. In recent months, Russia and Syria have stepped up bombing operations in Idlib and Eastern Ghouta – strongholds of anti-government rebels.
Business Insider names 11 types of Russian fighter jets present in Syria:
Su-57
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| Photo: United Aircraft Corporation |
Israeli satellite images show two Su-57s at Hmeimim air base.
The Su-57 is Russia's first fifth-generation stealth fighter. However, it is only equipped with AL-41F1 engines, the same type as the Su-35, and not the Izdelie-30 engine, which is still being tested.
Su-24
Satellite imagery from July 2017 showed 11 Su-24 Fencers but that number could now be 10, as one crashed in October killing both pilots. The Su-24 can carry air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles and laser-guided bombs.
Su-25
The Su-25 is comparable to the legendary American A-10 Warthog, which had flown more than 1,600 sorties and dropped more than 6,000 bombs by March 2016, just six months after arriving in Syria.
Su-27SM3
Satellite imagery from July shows three Su-27SM3 Flankers. This type of fighter was first deployed to Syria by Russia in November 2015.
MiG-29SMT
It is unclear how many Mig-29SMT Fulcrums Moscow has deployed to Syria. The upgraded Fulcrum can carry a variety of air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles and laser-guided bombs.
Su-30SM
Satellite images taken in July showed four Su-30SMs. This is a multi-role fighter jet that can carry air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles, as well as laser-guided bombs.
Su-34
Satellite imagery from July showed six Su-34 Fullbacks. The Fullbacks, first deployed to Syria in September 2015, can carry short-range R-73 air-to-air missiles and long-range radar-guided R-77 missiles, as well as a variety of air-to-ground missiles.
Su-35S
Satellite imagery from July showed six Su-35S Flanker-Es. The aircraft, first deployed to Syria in January 2016, are among Russia’s most advanced fighters, capable of attacking targets on the ground and in the air without support.
A-50U
Satellite imagery from July showed an A-50U, essentially a “giant flight data processing center” used to detect and track targets in the air (fighters, bombers, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles), on the ground (tanks) and at sea (ships).
IL-20 "Coot"
It is one of Russia's most sophisticated spy planes, equipped with multiple antennas, IR (infrared) and optical sensors, and telecommunications equipment to share real-time data.
An-24 "Coke"is a Russian military transport aircraft.