MOSCOW, December 15 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's Air Force received Friday its first two newly built Su-34 Fullback bombers.
Designed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau, the Su-34 will replace the Su-24 Fencer frontline bombers. Experts said the new bomber has the potential to become the best plane in its class for years to come.
A ceremonial handover of the Su-34s took place at the Chkalov Aircraft Production Association in Novosibirsk, in West Siberia. In attendance were Russia's Air Force commander, Army General Vladimir Mikhailov, and Sukhoi holding Director General Mikhail Pogosyan.
The $36 million Su-34 fighter-bomber is a two-seat strike aircraft equipped with twin AL-31MF afterburning turbojet engines. It is designed to deliver high-precision strikes on heavily defended targets in any weather conditions, day or night, and fields weaponry that includes a 30mm GSh-301 cannon, up to 12 Alamo or Archer AAMs, ASMs, and bombs
Mikhailov said Russia's Air Force needs about 200 Su-34s, which will be on active duty in the next 30-40 years along with modernized Su-24s, which are expected to be gradually replaced over the next 20 years.
"In all, we need about 200 [Su-34] aircraft," he said, "But at the same time, we do not want to replace the modernized Su-24[M] in the next two or three years, as the aircraft can be in service for 10-15 years. All of the Su-24s will be replaced with Su-34s in around 20 years."
The commander said the Su-34 has been modernized twice since the late 1980s, when it was designed, and will be further modernized after 10 years in service.
Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said earlier that Russia's Air Force will buy 58 Su-34s by 2015.
