MOSC OW, August 11 (RIA Novosti) - Russia is about to complete test flights of the new Su-34 fighter-bomber, a Russian Air Force official told a news conference Thursday.
Vladimir Mikhailov, the commander of the Russian Air Force, said it was a sophisticated combat aircraft with advanced weaponry.
The new plane is equipped with improved electronics and is intended to replace Su-24 fighter-bombers.
Mikhailov also said Russia was finishing the modernization of Su-27 fighter with increased combat payload of eight metric tons, and MiG-29 fighters.
"We tried to fit the MiG-29 with controlled thrust vector engines in 1999, but we did not succeed at the time," the Russian official said. "Later, we resumed work and at present the plane is undergoing various tests and showing great performance."
"The modernized MiG-29 will be shown at the MAKS-2005 air show in Zhukovsky (near Moscow) on August 16-21," he added.
Mikhailov also said Russia was finishing state testing of the new Mi-28H Night Hunter helicopter, which could become the main combat helicopter of the Russian Army. Its serial production will start next year.
