The Russian Su-34 fighter is touted by the Kremlin as one of its best aircraft.
As Ukraine anticipates the arrival of American-made F-16 fighters that it hopes will boost its aerial defense in the ongoing war, Russia is also beefing up its jet fleet. The United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) revealed on Telegram this week that a new batch of Su-34 fighter-bombers had been delivered to the Russian Defense Ministry. This announcement comes as Moscow continues to bolster its frontline aviation capabilities in the war. While the Russian manufacturer did not specify the exact number of jets that would be delivered, UAC director Vladimir Artyakov noted that the Su-34 is the superior platform in its class. Known by its NATO-designated name the “Fullback,” the twin-engine, supersonic fighter-bomber is quite lethal on paper. Able to carry a significant payload and equipped with modern capabilities, the Russian fighter is touted by the Kremlin as one of its best aircraft.
An Overview of the Fullback
Like many of the fighters flown by Russia’s Aeroforces today, the Su-34 is derived in part from a Soviet predecessor. Manufacturer Sukhoi conceptualized the fighter during the Cold War as a replacement jet for the swing-wing Su-34. Ultimately, the Su-27 was selected as its range and maneuverability gave it an edge over previous platforms. The naval trainer derivative of the platform was also advanced but never came to fruition in this era until the collapse of the USSR. By 1994, the first Su-34 jet built to production standard embarked on its maiden flight. Initially, the jet was meant to serve with a shore-based naval capacity, but budgetary constraints limited the Su-34’s versatility.
The Su-34 is easily recognizable today due to its “platypus” nose and side-by-side cockpit. Despite the jet’s atypical exterior, its basic layout is remarkably similar to its Su-27 predecessor. Behind the Fullback’s large radome is the Sh141 radar system, which allows the fighter to fly in some missions unescorted. The Russian platform is powered by a pair of Saturn AL-31FM1 engines, enabling the jet to reach speeds in excess of Mach 1.8 (times the speed of sound). While the Su-34 is primarily used in an air-to-ground capacity, its impressive radar can allegedly locate a large warship at a range of more than 80 miles. However, as noted by The War Zone, this range pales in comparison to the F-15E Strike Eagle’s new AN/APG-82 with an active electronically scanned array (AESA).
In terms of ordnance, the Su-34 can carry more than 17,000 pounds of weapons across twelve hardpoints located underwing and beneath the fuselage. Able to strike targets from low altitudes thanks to its armor-shielded cabin, the Su-34 can also lug two Vy Vympel R-27 (Nicknamed “Alamo” by NATO), R-73, and Vympel NPO R-77 missiles.
While the Fullback is often touted as the best of the best by Russian officials, the fighter has projected a lackluster performance in the ongoing Ukraine invasion. As of 2024, Ukrainian officials have claimed to have downed at least thirty-five Su-34s. While this figure could be exaggerated, this estimate if accurate would mean Moscow has lost 25 percent of its Fullback fleet to date.
About the Author: Maya Carlin
Maya Carlin, National Security Writer with The National Interest, is an analyst with the Center for Security Policy and a former Anna Sobol Levy Fellow at IDC Herzliya in Israel. She has by-lines in many publications, including The National Interest, Jerusalem Post, and Times of Israel. You can follow her on Twitter: @MayaCarlin. Carlin has over 1,000 articles published over the last several years on various defense issues.
Image: Shutterstock.
