Russian Air force to receive 5 SU-34 warplanes in 2008

[F-15 Eagle]

Russia's Air Force will receive at least five advanced Su-34 fighter bombers in 2008, the Sukhoi plane maker said on Monday.
Russia has started this year the full-scale production of the Su-34 Fullback fighter bomber at a Novosibirsk-based aircraft-manufacturing plant, a subsidiary of the Sukhoi Aircraft Holding.
"In 2008, our plant will increase its production capacity by 15-20% and will manufacture at least five Su-34 aircraft, while modernizing 20 Su-24 Fencer planes," said Alexander Kalashnikov, deputy general director of the Novosibirsk plant.
Experts said the new bomber has the potential to become the top plane in its class for many years to come. A total of 70 aircraft will be purchased by 2015 to replace around 300 Su-24s, which are currently undergoing modernization to prolong their service life.
The first two serial-production Su-34s were procured by the Defense Ministry in 2007 and have been deployed at the Lipetsk pilot training center for the practical training of military pilots.
Designed by Sukhoi, the $36 million Su-34 fighter-bomber is a two-seat strike aircraft fitted with twin AL-31MF afterburner turbojet engines. It is designed to deliver high-precision strikes on heavily-defended targets under any weather conditions, day or night, and is equipped with a 30-mm GSh-301 cannon, up to 12 Alamo or Archer AAMs, ASMs, and bombs.

Here is the link: http://en.rian.ru/russia/20080114/96572867.html

 

[Firehorse]

It seems that they are moving ahead with more Su-34s. I bet many of those Su-24s they replace may/will end up in Iran!

Between 2007-2015 the Russian Air Force will procure a large number of upgraded Su-34 bombers, to replace the Su-24 'Fencer' fleet in primarily the ground attack role. In 2007 funding is available for a further six aircraft and ten more will be produced in 2008. In 2010 24 Su-34s are expected to be delivered for the first air regiment to be based at Voronezh. The first aircraft are expected to enter operational service before the end of 2009. And it is planned that the Russian Air Force would have as many as 58 Su-34s by 2015, equipping two or three bomber regiments. http://www.milavia.net/aircraft/su-34/su-34.htm

Any word on the export version Su-32?

 

[Chrom]

It seems that they are moving ahead with more Su-34s. I bet many of those Su-24s they replace may/will end up in Iran!


Any word on the export version Su-32?

Nope. I guess all possible costumes rather choose Su-30 as more capable, cheaper dogfighter which still have decent AG abilities.

 

[onslaught]

It seems that they are moving ahead with more Su-34s. I bet many of those Su-24s they replace may/will end up in Iran!


Any word on the export version Su-32?

Very few Su-34's have been built so if there are any exports, it won't be for a while. I think I read somewhere that Su-34's wouldn't be exported until Russia's Air Force got more of them first. As for the Su-24's they're replacing, they're already being upgraded until more Su-34's roll out. Whether they'll export these upgraded Su-24's or not, I'm not sure, but I have a feeling that they won't.

 

[aztechx]

was just curious why the production of the Su-34 is moving at such a slow pace?the plant is capable of producing alot more then that right?or are the russians still tight on thier budget?

 

[Firehorse]

As for the Su-24's they're replacing, they're already being upgraded until more Su-34's roll out. Whether they'll export these upgraded Su-24's or not, I'm not sure, but I have a feeling that they won't.

They may not upgrade all of them, and then sell some they don't upgrade to Su-24 users.

 

[Chrom]

was just curious why the production of the Su-34 is moving at such a slow pace?the plant is capable of producing alot more then that right?or are the russians still tight on thier budget?

Yes, no money.