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Sukhoi Su-17
Photo: Hoangprs5 · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
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SukhoiSu-17

Ground Attack / CAS Aircraft · Russia · 1970
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SukhoiSu-17

⚙ Sukhoi Su-7 variant
Sukhoi Su-17
Sukhoi Su-17 Photo: Hoangprs5 · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Ground-Attack Lethality
75
Payload
70
Loiter / Endurance
65
Survivability
60
Accuracy
60
Low-Altitude Capability
70
Avionics
55
Reliability
70
Versatility
80
Cost-Effectiveness
85
Origin Russia
ManufacturerKomsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Production Association
CategoryGround Attack / CAS Aircraft
EraCold War
In service1970–1990
Operators25 countries
Quantity2,867
Data Quality87%
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
65
Survivability
60
Accuracy
60
Low-Altitude Capability
70
Avionics
55
Reliability
70
Versatility
80
Cost-Effectiveness
85
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the ground attack / cas aircraft category.
01 / Overview
Sukhoi Su-17
Country
Production
1970–1990
Quantity
2,867
Operators
Conflicts
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
GROUND ATTACK / CAS AIRCRAFT · COLD WAR
23
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
88
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
◎General6MOD.6
  • First Flight1966
  • Service Entry Year1970
  • Crew1
  • Primary RoleFighter-bomber / ground attack
  • Generation3rd generation
  • In ServiceYes
◈Powerplant10MOD.10
  • Engine TypeTurbojet
  • Engine ModelLyulka AL-21F-3
  • Number of Engines1
  • Thrust (dry, each)70
  • Thrust (afterburner, each)123
  • Thrust-to-Weight1
  • AfterburnerYes
  • SupercruiseNo
  • Thrust VectoringNo
  • Internal Fuel3,000 kg
▣Performance10MOD.10
  • Top Speed2,100 km/h
  • Top Speed (Mach)2.1 Mach
  • Cruise Speed900 km/h
  • Stall Speed250 km/h
  • Service Ceiling15,000 m
  • Ferry Range2,500 km
  • Combat Radius800 km
  • Rate of Climb210 m/s
  • G-Limit9
  • Takeoff Run800 m
◇Dimensions & Weights7MOD.7
  • Length17.53 m
  • Wingspan11.5 m
  • Height4.9 m
  • Wing Area46.5
  • Empty Weight8,300 kg
  • Loaded Weight11,500 kg
  • Max Takeoff Weight12,400 kg
◆Armament8MOD.8
⬢Production3MOD.3
  • Total Built2,867
  • Operators20
  • Variants10
▲Service History3MOD.3
  • Production Start1969
  • Production End1990
  • Operational StatusLimited service
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
  1. 1945First deployment: Cold War
  2. 1970Production started
  3. 1982Sale: Angola (12 units)
  4. 1990Production ended
  5. 1991Sale: Iran (40 units)
56
years in service
20
years in production
2,867
units produced
23
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it. 2 countries retired it.
04 / Conflicts
SUKHOI SU-17 · CONFLICTS SERVED IN0% win·100% loss
Total Conflicts
2
Victories
0
Ongoing
0
Losses
2
ⓘ Shown only from conflicts recorded in our database.
05 / Operators
Sukhoi Su-17SALES2records
YearBuyerQuantityAmountPresent Value (2025)
1991Iran40——
1982Angola12——
ⓘ "Present Value" is an estimated amount adjusted for inflation.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE8terms
An afterburner is a device that injects fuel into a jet engine's hot exhaust gases, generating additional thrust through combustion.
Air-to-air missiles are guided missiles fired from aircraft to engage other aircraft. They are used for self-defense and to gain air superiority.
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.
A collection of integrated electronic systems on a military aircraft designed to detect, identify, disrupt, or deceive enemy radar, communications, and guided weapons.
Relating to or using nuclear energy, typically fission, for propulsion or power generation in military vessels.
Enables real-time sharing of position, targeting, and sensor data among aircraft and platforms for coordinated combat operations.
A targeting pod is an external sensor module mounted on aircraft that provides laser designation, infrared imaging, and range‑finding to support precision strike and reconnaissance.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources
📖 ENCYCLOPEDIA Browse the Ground Attack / CAS Aircraft entry →