Russian Air Force adapts Su-34 fighter-bomber for reconnaissance missions over Ukraine
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As explained by the Russian state-owned company Rostec on July 10, 2025, the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) have formally introduced a new operational role for the Sukhoi Su-34 fighter-bomber, which will now also serve as a tactical reconnaissance platform in addition to its primary ground-attack function. The announcement coincided with the delivery of another batch of Su-34s to frontline tactical aviation units by the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), part of the Rostec State Corporation. These deliveries were executed under the ongoing state defense order, and UAC stated its intent to increase production rates for the Su-34 during the year.Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
The Su-34 has been equipped to perform tactical reconnaissance missions using the Sych universal reconnaissance pod system, developed in three variants for radio-technical, radar, and optical surveillance. (Picture source: UAC)
Fighter aircraft have been used for reconnaissance purposes since the Second World War, when high-speed fighters such as the Supermarine Spitfire and P-51 Mustang were converted into unarmed reconnaissance variants equipped with photographic cameras. These aircraft were used to conduct visual reconnaissance over enemy positions while relying on their speed and altitude to evade interception. During the Cold War, dedicated reconnaissance variants of operational fighters emerged, including the RF-101 Voodoo, RF-4 Phantom II, and MiG-21R. These aircraft retained the aerodynamic performance of their original designs but replaced most or all of their weapons with sensor packages adapted for photographic, infrared, or electronic intelligence collection. In subsequent decades, air forces increasingly integrated modular reconnaissance pods onto multirole platforms, allowing combat aircraft like the F-16, Tornado, or Su-24 to be reconfigured for reconnaissance missions without requiring a dedicated airframe. This approach expanded with the introduction of digital sensors and GPS navigation, enabling more precise intelligence gathering while simplifying fleet logistics and reducing the operational burden of maintaining separate reconnaissance units.
Modern fighter jets, when used for reconnaissance tasks, provide several advantages compared to more traditional airborne surveillance platforms. Their high subsonic or supersonic speeds allow them to conduct reconnaissance over contested areas and withdraw before detection or engagement, reducing exposure time to enemy air defenses. Compared to larger ISR platforms, fighters possess enhanced maneuverability and can operate at variable altitudes and flight profiles, making them more difficult to intercept and offering greater mission flexibility. Additionally, these aircraft are typically equipped with onboard self-protection systems, including radar warning receivers, electronic countermeasures, and in some cases air-to-air missiles, which increase their survivability in airspace that contains both kinetic and electronic threats. By using external pods such as optical-electronic systems, synthetic aperture radar, or signals intelligence modules, fighters can perform reconnaissance tasks while retaining the ability to conduct strike missions during the same sortie if required. This dual-role capability allows for efficient tasking, greater tactical responsiveness, and reduced reliance on specialized ISR fleets, especially in environments where airspace control is contested or where strategic assets are unavailable.
The Sukhoi Su-34 Fullback is a Soviet-origin, twin-seat, twin-engine, supersonic fighter-bomber derived from the Su-27 airframe. Development began in June 1986 under the designation T-10V, with the first flight of a prototype occurring on 13 April 1990. It was designed to replace the Su-24 and to provide long-range strike capability in contested airspace. Serial production began in 2005 at the Novosibirsk Aircraft Plant named after V.P. Chkalov. The Su-34 entered service on 21 March 2014. It has a wingspan of 14.7 meters, a length of 23.3 meters, and a maximum takeoff weight of 45,000 kg. The aircraft is powered by two AL-31F-M1 turbofan engines, offering a top speed of 1,900 km/h and a maximum ferry range of 4,500 km without refueling and up to 7,000 km with drop tanks and in-flight refueling. The operational ceiling is between 14,650 and 17,000 meters.
The Su-34 is capable of engaging ground, sea, and air targets using a wide range of munitions. Its 12 external hardpoints allow it to carry up to 12,000 kg of ordnance, including free-fall bombs, laser- and TV-guided bombs, Kh-29, Kh-59, and Kh-35 missiles, and air-to-air missiles such as the R-73 and R-77. It can also be fitted with the Platan electro-optical targeting system or the Damocles pod developed under license from Thales, allowing compatibility with NATO-standard guided munitions. The aircraft’s Sh-141 radar provides terrain-following and ground-mapping capabilities, with a detection range of 250 km for large targets and 90 km for fighter-type aircraft. The Su-34 can simultaneously track up to ten and engage up to four airborne targets. A rearward-facing radar system designated N012 was originally intended, but was reportedly replaced by an auxiliary power unit. The upgraded Su-34M variant reintroduces rearward threat detection capability using the Kopyo-DL radar.
The Su-34 has been equipped to perform tactical reconnaissance missions using the Sych universal reconnaissance pod system, developed in three variants for radio-technical, radar, and optical surveillance. This pod can be externally mounted and allows the aircraft to collect real-time intelligence while remaining armed for strike operations. The aircraft is also equipped with electronic warfare systems such as the Khibiny (L-175V) and Sorbtsiya-S (L005-S), which significantly reduce its vulnerability to radar-guided air defense systems. These systems can be combined with anti-radiation missiles like the Kh-58 and Kh-31P, with ranges between 120 and 250 km. These features were tested during the 2008 war in Georgia, the Syrian campaign beginning in 2015, and the full-scale war in Ukraine since 2022. During operations in Syria, Su-34s were forward-deployed to Hmeymim Airbase and temporarily to Hamadan Airbase in Iran.
The aircraft has been involved extensively in the Russian invasion of Ukraine. It has launched precision-guided and unguided munitions against fixed targets from standoff ranges. Open-source data from the Oryx project reported at least 30 Su-34 losses by July 2024, including confirmed shootdowns by shoulder-fired Stinger missiles and medium- and long-range surface-to-air missiles. Documented incidents include losses in Chernihiv, Kharkiv, and Izium, and the destruction of aircraft on Russian bases such as Morozovsk and Marinovka. On 27 June 2025, Ukrainian drone strikes at Marinovka Airbase destroyed two Su-34s and damaged two more. Other losses have occurred due to technical failures and collisions during training flights. Notably, on 17 October 2022, a Su-34 crashed into a residential building in Yeysk after an engine fire during takeoff, causing 15 civilian deaths and 19 injuries. On 20 April 2023, an unintentional ordnance release over Belgorod caused ground damage and civilian casualties.
The cockpit of the Su-34 is protected by a 17 mm titanium alloy shell weighing 1,480 kg, with a side-by-side seating arrangement for the pilot and weapons operator. The cabin includes pressurization to operate up to 10,000 meters without oxygen masks, a toilet, a galley for heating rations, and sufficient space for crew members to stand. The ejection seats are K-36DM models, capable of emergency use at any flight condition. The aircraft’s design includes reinforced tricycle landing gear, allowing operation from unprepared runways, and an automatic fire suppression system using foam-filled fuel tanks. Fuel is stored in multiple internal compartments and drop tanks, and the aircraft is compatible with Il-78 aerial refueling tankers via a retractable refueling probe.
The total number of Su-34 aircraft delivered to the Russian Aerospace Forces has exceeded 150 units, including pre-production aircraft. Deliveries were conducted under several contracts: five aircraft in 2005, 32 under a 2008 contract, 92 under a 2012 agreement, and 24 aircraft under a 2020 contract. As of 2024, the VKS operated 102 standard Su-34s and approximately 22 Su-34M units. Units equipped with the Su-34 include the 47th Bomber Regiment (Voronezh), the 277th (Khabarovsk), and the 559th (Rostov), with additional aircraft assigned to the Lipetsk Training Center and the Akhtubinsk Flight Test Center. Four Su-34s have been deployed to Syria. Algeria also signed a contract in 2019 for 14 Su-34s. In 2025, UAC confirmed the delivery of two more Su-34s on 18 April as part of the ongoing procurement plan.
The reassignment of reconnaissance missions to Su-34 aircraft reflects adjustments in Russian military aviation planning, potentially prompted by the loss or obsolescence of other ISR platforms. Key reconnaissance aircraft such as the Tu-214R and Il-20M, designed for electronic and signals intelligence, remain operational but are limited in number and face challenges in survivability within contested airspace. The Su-24MR, a tactical reconnaissance variant of the Su-24, is still in use for battlefield observation, but its aging systems and limited sensor capabilities constrain its effectiveness in modern conflict environments. High-altitude assets like the Myasishchev M-55 provide strategic surveillance at extended ranges, but they are rarely deployed and are not suited for high-tempo operations. Transport-based platforms such as the An-30 continue to perform aerial photography and mapping tasks but are largely relegated to secondary or low-threat missions.
Russia has also adapted several multirole fighter aircraft for reconnaissance purposes to fill the capability gap left by aging or vulnerable platforms. The Su-30SM, equipped with advanced radar and targeting systems, is used for radar mapping, laser designation, and tactical ELINT through underwing pods. Its two-seat configuration allows crew specialization during ISR sorties. The Su-35S, a single-seat air superiority fighter, has been observed conducting radar reconnaissance and acting as a forward sensor platform by detecting enemy air defenses and relaying targeting information to strike aircraft. The Su-57, Russia’s fifth-generation stealth fighter, has also been reported to perform deep reconnaissance and suppression of enemy air defense tasks, using low observability and sensor fusion to penetrate defended zones and collect data while reducing the risk of interception.
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As explained by the Russian state-owned company Rostec on July 10, 2025, the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) have formally introduced a new operational role for the Sukhoi Su-34 fighter-bomber, which will now also serve as a tactical reconnaissance platform in addition to its primary ground-attack function. The announcement coincided with the delivery of another batch of Su-34s to frontline tactical aviation units by the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), part of the Rostec State Corporation. These deliveries were executed under the ongoing state defense order, and UAC stated its intent to increase production rates for the Su-34 during the year.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
The Su-34 has been equipped to perform tactical reconnaissance missions using the Sych universal reconnaissance pod system, developed in three variants for radio-technical, radar, and optical surveillance. (Picture source: UAC)
Fighter aircraft have been used for reconnaissance purposes since the Second World War, when high-speed fighters such as the Supermarine Spitfire and P-51 Mustang were converted into unarmed reconnaissance variants equipped with photographic cameras. These aircraft were used to conduct visual reconnaissance over enemy positions while relying on their speed and altitude to evade interception. During the Cold War, dedicated reconnaissance variants of operational fighters emerged, including the RF-101 Voodoo, RF-4 Phantom II, and MiG-21R. These aircraft retained the aerodynamic performance of their original designs but replaced most or all of their weapons with sensor packages adapted for photographic, infrared, or electronic intelligence collection. In subsequent decades, air forces increasingly integrated modular reconnaissance pods onto multirole platforms, allowing combat aircraft like the F-16, Tornado, or Su-24 to be reconfigured for reconnaissance missions without requiring a dedicated airframe. This approach expanded with the introduction of digital sensors and GPS navigation, enabling more precise intelligence gathering while simplifying fleet logistics and reducing the operational burden of maintaining separate reconnaissance units.
Modern fighter jets, when used for reconnaissance tasks, provide several advantages compared to more traditional airborne surveillance platforms. Their high subsonic or supersonic speeds allow them to conduct reconnaissance over contested areas and withdraw before detection or engagement, reducing exposure time to enemy air defenses. Compared to larger ISR platforms, fighters possess enhanced maneuverability and can operate at variable altitudes and flight profiles, making them more difficult to intercept and offering greater mission flexibility. Additionally, these aircraft are typically equipped with onboard self-protection systems, including radar warning receivers, electronic countermeasures, and in some cases air-to-air missiles, which increase their survivability in airspace that contains both kinetic and electronic threats. By using external pods such as optical-electronic systems, synthetic aperture radar, or signals intelligence modules, fighters can perform reconnaissance tasks while retaining the ability to conduct strike missions during the same sortie if required. This dual-role capability allows for efficient tasking, greater tactical responsiveness, and reduced reliance on specialized ISR fleets, especially in environments where airspace control is contested or where strategic assets are unavailable.
The Sukhoi Su-34 Fullback is a Soviet-origin, twin-seat, twin-engine, supersonic fighter-bomber derived from the Su-27 airframe. Development began in June 1986 under the designation T-10V, with the first flight of a prototype occurring on 13 April 1990. It was designed to replace the Su-24 and to provide long-range strike capability in contested airspace. Serial production began in 2005 at the Novosibirsk Aircraft Plant named after V.P. Chkalov. The Su-34 entered service on 21 March 2014. It has a wingspan of 14.7 meters, a length of 23.3 meters, and a maximum takeoff weight of 45,000 kg. The aircraft is powered by two AL-31F-M1 turbofan engines, offering a top speed of 1,900 km/h and a maximum ferry range of 4,500 km without refueling and up to 7,000 km with drop tanks and in-flight refueling. The operational ceiling is between 14,650 and 17,000 meters.
The Su-34 is capable of engaging ground, sea, and air targets using a wide range of munitions. Its 12 external hardpoints allow it to carry up to 12,000 kg of ordnance, including free-fall bombs, laser- and TV-guided bombs, Kh-29, Kh-59, and Kh-35 missiles, and air-to-air missiles such as the R-73 and R-77. It can also be fitted with the Platan electro-optical targeting system or the Damocles pod developed under license from Thales, allowing compatibility with NATO-standard guided munitions. The aircraft’s Sh-141 radar provides terrain-following and ground-mapping capabilities, with a detection range of 250 km for large targets and 90 km for fighter-type aircraft. The Su-34 can simultaneously track up to ten and engage up to four airborne targets. A rearward-facing radar system designated N012 was originally intended, but was reportedly replaced by an auxiliary power unit. The upgraded Su-34M variant reintroduces rearward threat detection capability using the Kopyo-DL radar.
The Su-34 has been equipped to perform tactical reconnaissance missions using the Sych universal reconnaissance pod system, developed in three variants for radio-technical, radar, and optical surveillance. This pod can be externally mounted and allows the aircraft to collect real-time intelligence while remaining armed for strike operations. The aircraft is also equipped with electronic warfare systems such as the Khibiny (L-175V) and Sorbtsiya-S (L005-S), which significantly reduce its vulnerability to radar-guided air defense systems. These systems can be combined with anti-radiation missiles like the Kh-58 and Kh-31P, with ranges between 120 and 250 km. These features were tested during the 2008 war in Georgia, the Syrian campaign beginning in 2015, and the full-scale war in Ukraine since 2022. During operations in Syria, Su-34s were forward-deployed to Hmeymim Airbase and temporarily to Hamadan Airbase in Iran.
The aircraft has been involved extensively in the Russian invasion of Ukraine. It has launched precision-guided and unguided munitions against fixed targets from standoff ranges. Open-source data from the Oryx project reported at least 30 Su-34 losses by July 2024, including confirmed shootdowns by shoulder-fired Stinger missiles and medium- and long-range surface-to-air missiles. Documented incidents include losses in Chernihiv, Kharkiv, and Izium, and the destruction of aircraft on Russian bases such as Morozovsk and Marinovka. On 27 June 2025, Ukrainian drone strikes at Marinovka Airbase destroyed two Su-34s and damaged two more. Other losses have occurred due to technical failures and collisions during training flights. Notably, on 17 October 2022, a Su-34 crashed into a residential building in Yeysk after an engine fire during takeoff, causing 15 civilian deaths and 19 injuries. On 20 April 2023, an unintentional ordnance release over Belgorod caused ground damage and civilian casualties.
The cockpit of the Su-34 is protected by a 17 mm titanium alloy shell weighing 1,480 kg, with a side-by-side seating arrangement for the pilot and weapons operator. The cabin includes pressurization to operate up to 10,000 meters without oxygen masks, a toilet, a galley for heating rations, and sufficient space for crew members to stand. The ejection seats are K-36DM models, capable of emergency use at any flight condition. The aircraft’s design includes reinforced tricycle landing gear, allowing operation from unprepared runways, and an automatic fire suppression system using foam-filled fuel tanks. Fuel is stored in multiple internal compartments and drop tanks, and the aircraft is compatible with Il-78 aerial refueling tankers via a retractable refueling probe.
The total number of Su-34 aircraft delivered to the Russian Aerospace Forces has exceeded 150 units, including pre-production aircraft. Deliveries were conducted under several contracts: five aircraft in 2005, 32 under a 2008 contract, 92 under a 2012 agreement, and 24 aircraft under a 2020 contract. As of 2024, the VKS operated 102 standard Su-34s and approximately 22 Su-34M units. Units equipped with the Su-34 include the 47th Bomber Regiment (Voronezh), the 277th (Khabarovsk), and the 559th (Rostov), with additional aircraft assigned to the Lipetsk Training Center and the Akhtubinsk Flight Test Center. Four Su-34s have been deployed to Syria. Algeria also signed a contract in 2019 for 14 Su-34s. In 2025, UAC confirmed the delivery of two more Su-34s on 18 April as part of the ongoing procurement plan.
The reassignment of reconnaissance missions to Su-34 aircraft reflects adjustments in Russian military aviation planning, potentially prompted by the loss or obsolescence of other ISR platforms. Key reconnaissance aircraft such as the Tu-214R and Il-20M, designed for electronic and signals intelligence, remain operational but are limited in number and face challenges in survivability within contested airspace. The Su-24MR, a tactical reconnaissance variant of the Su-24, is still in use for battlefield observation, but its aging systems and limited sensor capabilities constrain its effectiveness in modern conflict environments. High-altitude assets like the Myasishchev M-55 provide strategic surveillance at extended ranges, but they are rarely deployed and are not suited for high-tempo operations. Transport-based platforms such as the An-30 continue to perform aerial photography and mapping tasks but are largely relegated to secondary or low-threat missions.
Russia has also adapted several multirole fighter aircraft for reconnaissance purposes to fill the capability gap left by aging or vulnerable platforms. The Su-30SM, equipped with advanced radar and targeting systems, is used for radar mapping, laser designation, and tactical ELINT through underwing pods. Its two-seat configuration allows crew specialization during ISR sorties. The Su-35S, a single-seat air superiority fighter, has been observed conducting radar reconnaissance and acting as a forward sensor platform by detecting enemy air defenses and relaying targeting information to strike aircraft. The Su-57, Russia’s fifth-generation stealth fighter, has also been reported to perform deep reconnaissance and suppression of enemy air defense tasks, using low observability and sensor fusion to penetrate defended zones and collect data while reducing the risk of interception.
