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Su-17M4
Photo: Alex Beltyukov - RuSpotters Team · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
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Su-17M4

Ground Attack / CAS Aircraft · Russia · 1969
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Su-17M4

Su-17M4
Su-17M4 Photo: Alex Beltyukov - RuSpotters Team · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Ground-Attack Lethality
75
Payload
70
Loiter / Endurance
60
Survivability
65
Accuracy
60
Low-Altitude Capability
85
Avionics
55
Reliability
60
Versatility
70
Cost-Effectiveness
75
Origin Russia
CategoryGround Attack / CAS Aircraft
EraCold War
In service1969–1990
Operators1 countries
Quantity2,867
Data Quality83%
68
Ground Attack / CAS Aircraft MASS Rating
23/55
Cold War
58/251
All-Time
Ground Attack / CAS Aircraft · 10 axes scored
Ground-Attack Lethality
75
Payload
70
Loiter / Endurance
60
Survivability
65
Accuracy
60
Low-Altitude Capability
85
Avionics
55
Reliability
60
Versatility
70
Cost-Effectiveness
75
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the ground attack / cas aircraft category.
01 / Overview
Su-17M4
Country
Production
1969–1990
Quantity
2,867
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
GROUND ATTACK / CAS AIRCRAFT · COLD WAR
23
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
75
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
68
ground attack / cas aircraft category
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the ground attack / cas aircraft category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General4MOD.4
  • First Flight1966
  • Service Entry Year1970
  • Crew1
  • Primary RoleFighter-bomber
◈Powerplant4MOD.4
  • Engine ModelLyulka AL-21F-3
  • Number of Engines1
  • Thrust (afterburner, each)118
  • AfterburnerYes
▣Performance2MOD.2
  • Top Speed (Mach)2.1 Mach
  • Service Ceiling13,000 m
◇Dimensions & Weights5MOD.5
  • Length17.6 m
  • Wingspan13.6 m
  • Height4.5 m
  • Empty Weight11,000 kg
  • Max Takeoff Weight17,000 kg
◆Armament6MOD.6
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
  1. 1969Production started
  2. 1990Production ended
57
years in service
21
years in production
2,867
units produced
1
countries operating
04 / Variants
▚ WEAPON FAMILY
Su-17 1969
Su-17M4 1969
// SIBLING VARIANTS
Su-17M3 1969
Su-17M 1973
05 / Operators
Operator Countries1country
Su-17M4SALES3records
YearBuyerQuantityAmountPresent Value (2025)
—Angola12——
—Angola16——
—Iran40——
ⓘ "Present Value" is an estimated amount adjusted for inflation.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE4terms
An afterburner is a device that injects fuel into a jet engine's hot exhaust gases, generating additional thrust through combustion.
Air-to-Ground Missiles are guided missiles fired from aircraft to attack ground targets. They enable aircraft to engage and destroy enemy ground positions, vehicles, and installations.
Anti-ship missiles are guided missiles designed to engage and destroy naval vessels. They are typically used by aircraft, ships, or submarines to attack enemy ships.
Relating to or using nuclear energy, typically fission, for propulsion or power generation in military vessels.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources
📖 ENCYCLOPEDIA Browse the Ground Attack / CAS Aircraft entry →