Russia Maintains Industrial Capacity and Airpower with Delivery of New Su-34M Fighter Bombers
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According to a statement published on August 21, 2025, by the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), in coordination with Rostec, a new batch of Su-34 fighter bombers has been delivered to the Russian Ministry of Defense. This delivery is part of the ongoing State Armament Program and reflects the authorities’ objective of maintaining a steady flow of new aircraft to the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS). The latest handover follows several batches already transferred earlier in the year, confirming that the Russian aviation industry has increased its production rate despite economic pressure and restrictions linked to international sanctions.Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
The Su-34, designated “Fullback” by NATO, is a twin-engine aircraft derived from the Su-27 Flanker and developed to replace the Su-24. (Picture source: Rostec)
The aircraft completed all ground and flight tests before being officially transferred to the crews. A VKS pilot underlined the Su-34’s ability to conduct a wide range of missions, day and night, in all weather conditions, with different types of weapons. This versatility makes it a central asset for Russian air operations. UAC described the current month as a record for the number of aircraft delivered, an indication that the production tempo is being maintained, even reinforced. According to official announcements, Russia is delivering several batches each quarter, suggesting an annual output of several dozen aircraft, intended both to offset operational losses and to reinforce existing units.
Russia is under pressure to sustain operations while facing sanctions and difficulties in sourcing certain components. Western restrictions have made access to advanced electronics and materials more complicated, forcing Moscow to rely on domestic alternatives and new supply channels. Yet UAC insists production has not slowed. Vadim Badekha, the company’s CEO, stated that output has even reached record levels this month, with more aircraft delivered to the VKS than at any other point in recent years. Rostec officials describe these “rhythmic” serial deliveries as part of a strategy to show resilience and continuity. For the Kremlin, maintaining this tempo is about more than supplying the front line. It is also a political signal, both to Russian audiences and to foreign observers, that the defense industry remains functional despite external constraints.
The Su-34, designated “Fullback” by NATO, is a twin-engine aircraft derived from the Su-27 Flanker and developed to replace the Su-24. It is fitted with a titanium-armored cockpit accommodating two crew members side by side, improving protection and ergonomics during long missions. Powered by two AL-31F turbofan engines, it can reach speeds of Mach 1.8 with a range of 4,000 kilometers and has in-flight refueling capability, enabling operations far from rear bases. Its avionics suite includes the B-004 passive phased-array radar, capable of simultaneously tracking airborne targets and mapping the ground, supported by the Platan electro-optical targeting system and a navigation system integrated with GLONASS. For self-protection, it carries radar warning receivers and Sorbtsiya-S electronic countermeasure pods mounted on its wingtips, designed to disrupt modern surface-to-air missile systems.
The aircraft has twelve hardpoints, giving it the capacity to carry a wide range of weapons. It is equipped with a 30 mm GSh-30-1 cannon and can mount air-to-air missiles such as the R-73, R-27, and RVV-AE for self-defense, along with air-to-ground missiles including the Kh-29, Kh-31, and Kh-59, as well as guided bombs such as the KAB-500 and KAB-1500. For anti-ship missions, the Su-34 can be armed with the supersonic 3M-80EA missile, designed to threaten large surface vessels. This flexibility allows the aircraft to be employed in deep strike missions, suppression of enemy air defenses, tactical bombing, and reconnaissance operations.
Operationally, the Su-34 is heavily employed in Ukraine. Since February 2022, it has been deployed across multiple fronts to conduct long-range bombing missions, often using precision-guided munitions against critical infrastructure and Ukrainian military positions. Several aircraft have been lost in combat, but Moscow compensates these losses with new deliveries from production lines, explaining the accelerated pace observed over the past two years. Russian officials continue to emphasize the reliability of the platform despite the challenges posed by Ukraine’s dense air defense network.
For the Kremlin, the Su-34 remains a key component of the air campaign, serving as both an operational asset and a strategic signal. Each new aircraft delivered represents not only an additional resource for the VKS but also a message to adversaries and the international community that Russia’s tactical bomber fleet remains intact and continues to be renewed. At the same time, whether this production tempo can keep pace with battlefield attrition and sustain long-term operational demand remains an open question. For now, however, the Su-34 stands as both a technical achievement and a symbol of Moscow’s determination to maintain strike aviation at the core of its military strategy.
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According to a statement published on August 21, 2025, by the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), in coordination with Rostec, a new batch of Su-34 fighter bombers has been delivered to the Russian Ministry of Defense. This delivery is part of the ongoing State Armament Program and reflects the authorities’ objective of maintaining a steady flow of new aircraft to the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS). The latest handover follows several batches already transferred earlier in the year, confirming that the Russian aviation industry has increased its production rate despite economic pressure and restrictions linked to international sanctions.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
The Su-34, designated “Fullback” by NATO, is a twin-engine aircraft derived from the Su-27 Flanker and developed to replace the Su-24. (Picture source: Rostec)
The aircraft completed all ground and flight tests before being officially transferred to the crews. A VKS pilot underlined the Su-34’s ability to conduct a wide range of missions, day and night, in all weather conditions, with different types of weapons. This versatility makes it a central asset for Russian air operations. UAC described the current month as a record for the number of aircraft delivered, an indication that the production tempo is being maintained, even reinforced. According to official announcements, Russia is delivering several batches each quarter, suggesting an annual output of several dozen aircraft, intended both to offset operational losses and to reinforce existing units.
Russia is under pressure to sustain operations while facing sanctions and difficulties in sourcing certain components. Western restrictions have made access to advanced electronics and materials more complicated, forcing Moscow to rely on domestic alternatives and new supply channels. Yet UAC insists production has not slowed. Vadim Badekha, the company’s CEO, stated that output has even reached record levels this month, with more aircraft delivered to the VKS than at any other point in recent years. Rostec officials describe these “rhythmic” serial deliveries as part of a strategy to show resilience and continuity. For the Kremlin, maintaining this tempo is about more than supplying the front line. It is also a political signal, both to Russian audiences and to foreign observers, that the defense industry remains functional despite external constraints.
The Su-34, designated “Fullback” by NATO, is a twin-engine aircraft derived from the Su-27 Flanker and developed to replace the Su-24. It is fitted with a titanium-armored cockpit accommodating two crew members side by side, improving protection and ergonomics during long missions. Powered by two AL-31F turbofan engines, it can reach speeds of Mach 1.8 with a range of 4,000 kilometers and has in-flight refueling capability, enabling operations far from rear bases. Its avionics suite includes the B-004 passive phased-array radar, capable of simultaneously tracking airborne targets and mapping the ground, supported by the Platan electro-optical targeting system and a navigation system integrated with GLONASS. For self-protection, it carries radar warning receivers and Sorbtsiya-S electronic countermeasure pods mounted on its wingtips, designed to disrupt modern surface-to-air missile systems.
The aircraft has twelve hardpoints, giving it the capacity to carry a wide range of weapons. It is equipped with a 30 mm GSh-30-1 cannon and can mount air-to-air missiles such as the R-73, R-27, and RVV-AE for self-defense, along with air-to-ground missiles including the Kh-29, Kh-31, and Kh-59, as well as guided bombs such as the KAB-500 and KAB-1500. For anti-ship missions, the Su-34 can be armed with the supersonic 3M-80EA missile, designed to threaten large surface vessels. This flexibility allows the aircraft to be employed in deep strike missions, suppression of enemy air defenses, tactical bombing, and reconnaissance operations.
Operationally, the Su-34 is heavily employed in Ukraine. Since February 2022, it has been deployed across multiple fronts to conduct long-range bombing missions, often using precision-guided munitions against critical infrastructure and Ukrainian military positions. Several aircraft have been lost in combat, but Moscow compensates these losses with new deliveries from production lines, explaining the accelerated pace observed over the past two years. Russian officials continue to emphasize the reliability of the platform despite the challenges posed by Ukraine’s dense air defense network.
For the Kremlin, the Su-34 remains a key component of the air campaign, serving as both an operational asset and a strategic signal. Each new aircraft delivered represents not only an additional resource for the VKS but also a message to adversaries and the international community that Russia’s tactical bomber fleet remains intact and continues to be renewed. At the same time, whether this production tempo can keep pace with battlefield attrition and sustain long-term operational demand remains an open question. For now, however, the Su-34 stands as both a technical achievement and a symbol of Moscow’s determination to maintain strike aviation at the core of its military strategy.
