Shenyang J-16 vs Su-30SM: how to tell them apart

Two versions of the same family. Name the wrong one in Spotrep and you still get family points, but the exact model scores most.

Shenyang J-16

Combat aircraft, China. In service since 2015

What gives it away

Two-seat Flanker: twin fins, widely spaced engines and a long tail sting, but no canards (unlike the Su-30SM); often seen with a grey radome and Chinese markings.

Used by

China

Su-30SM

Combat aircraft, Russia. In service since 2012

What gives it away

Flanker airframe with a two-seat cockpit and small canards ahead of the wing root.

Used by

Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Armenia

Shenyang J-16 · Su-30SM · All guides