Russia continues to strengthen its air force with the delivery of new Su-34 fighter-bombers from the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC). This delivery, part of a state order from the Russian Ministry of Defense, marks the third batch in 2023 and reportedly consists of two to three aircraft. The move comes in response to the ongoing operational demands of the war in Ukraine, where Su-34s have been heavily deployed.

Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu recently visited UAC’s production facilities and instructed the acceleration of Su-34 manufacturing. During his visit, Shoigu emphasized the strategic significance of the aircraft for Russia’s defense posture and its effectiveness in modern warfare.

The Su-34 is designed as a multi-role supersonic fighter-bomber, capable of operating under all weather conditions, day or night. It can effectively strike both ground and aerial targets. With an operational range of 4,000 km, a top speed of 1,900 km/h, and the ability to carry up to 8 tons of weapons, the Su-34 stands out as one of the most powerful assets in Russia’s combat aviation fleet.

Despite its strengths, Russia has reportedly lost over 20 Su-34s during the war in Ukraine, highlighting both the aircraft’s intensive use and the high cost of sustained conflict. The new deliveries aim to compensate for these losses while reinforcing Russia’s air dominance capabilities in the ongoing conflict.