According to a statement issued on 21 August 2025 by United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) and Rostec, a new batch of Su-34M fighter-bombers has been delivered to the Russian Ministry of Defense. This delivery is part of the State Armament Program and reflects Russia’s strategy of steadily supplying new aircraft to the Aerospace Forces (VKS). UAC described this month as a “record delivery” period, emphasizing that production rates have increased despite sanctions and economic pressure.
Designated “Fullback” by NATO, the Su-34 is based on the Su-27 platform and was developed to replace the aging Su-24 fleet. Its titanium-armored cockpit seats two crew members side by side, providing protection and better ergonomics for long-range missions. Powered by AL-31F turbofan engines, the aircraft can reach speeds of Mach 1.8, has a range of 4,000 kilometers, and is capable of in-flight refueling. It is equipped with a B-004 passive phased-array radar, a Platan electro-optical targeting system, and a GLONASS-assisted navigation suite. Wingtip-mounted Sorbtsiya-S electronic countermeasure pods enhance protection against modern air defense systems.
The Su-34 carries a wide array of weapons across its twelve hardpoints. In addition to its 30 mm GSh-30-1 cannon, it can employ air-to-air missiles (R-73, R-27, RVV-AE), air-to-ground missiles (Kh-29, Kh-31, Kh-59), and guided bombs (KAB-500, KAB-1500). For maritime strike missions, it can be armed with the 3M-80EA supersonic anti-ship missile.
The aircraft has been extensively used in Ukraine since 2022, conducting long-range precision strikes against critical infrastructure and Ukrainian military positions. Despite combat losses, Russia offsets them with steady deliveries from production lines. For the Kremlin, these regular deliveries serve not only to meet frontline needs but also as a strategic signal—both domestically and internationally—that Russia’s defense industry remains operational and resilient.
