The Su-27P is a single-seat, air superiority fighter variant of the Su-27, introduced into Soviet Air Force service in the mid-1980s. It was designed specifically for air-to-air combat, lacking the Su-27’s ground-attack capabilities, and features long-range radar, powerful engines, and high maneuverability. The Su-27P became a cornerstone of Soviet (and later Russian) air defense, excelling in interception, fleet defense, and maintaining air superiority, and forming the basis for several later derivatives such as the Su-30 and Su-35.