Friendly fire incident reflects Russian inadequacies
Shootdown of Su-30M2 holds up a mirror to a poor safety culture as well as a corrosive lack of transparency from military officials and government
On 22 September, according to Russian MoD reports, a Su-30M2 multirole fighter was lost with the safe ejection and survival of both crew. A day later, state news agency TASS reported that the Su-30M2 may have been accidentally shot down by another Russian aircraft.
The initial official report merely stated that a fighter aircraft had been lost but details began to leak from various specialist forums and social media channels almost immediately after its publication. Even a recording of the pilots’ communications during the crash appeared online.
Based on this information, it seems that the Su-30M2 (example pictured above) had
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Defence Notes
-
![From systems integrator to multi-domain solutions provider (video)]()
From systems integrator to multi-domain solutions provider (video)
Philipp von Brandenstein, Head of Corporate Communications at Rheinmetall, explains how Eurosatory 2026 marked a new stage in the company's evolution.
-
![Canada’s C$2 billion ACSV deal reinforces new defence industrial strategy as allies align]()
Canada’s C$2 billion ACSV deal reinforces new defence industrial strategy as allies align
General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada is the country’s first strategic partner under the Defence Industrial Strategy’s Strategic Partnership Framework, an effort to provide companies with confidence to invest and boost the defence labour force.
-
![New UK armed forces minister frames High North defence as vital to “homeland security”]()
New UK armed forces minister frames High North defence as vital to “homeland security”
The UK’s Minister for the Armed Forces Louise Sandher-Jones made her first appearance in the role before the House of Commons Defence Committee this week to highlight efforts to improve capability in the High North.
-
![Canada seeks to strengthen industrial ties with the US on classified programmes]()
Canada seeks to strengthen industrial ties with the US on classified programmes
Ottawa explores expanding defence-industrial cooperation with Washington into sensitive programmes, an approach that could reshape NORAD modernisation, strengthen North American supply chains and create new opportunities for defence contractors.
