Breaking news
Russian Su-34s deployed in Syria now equipped with air-to-air missiles.
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World Aviation Defense & Security News - Russia
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Russian Su-34s deployed in Syria now equipped with air-to-air missiles
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The Russian Sukhoi Su-34 (NATO reporting name: Fullback) tactical bombers operating in Syria have started to carry short- and medium-range air-to-air missiles along with bombs on combat missions to defend themselves, Russian Aerospace Force spokesman Colonel Igor Klimov said on Tuesday, Dec. 1st, 2015.
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 Russia's Su-34 aircraft deployed in Syria are now fitted with air-to-air missiles for self-defense |
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"Today the Russian Su-34 fighter-bombers have taken for the first time not only OFAB-500 air bombs and KAB-500 guided bombs but also short- and medium-range air-to-air missiles on combat mission. The aircraft have been equipped with missiles for their defense," Klimov said.
According to him, the missiles "have homing heads and can hit aerial targets within a range of up to 60 kilometers [37.3 miles]." The Turkish Air Force’s F-16 fighter jet downed the Russian Su-24M tactical bomber on November 24. Ankara claims that the Russian bomber violated the country’s air space near the Turkish-Syrian border. However, the Russian Defense Ministry has said the Su-24M plane stayed exclusively over the Syrian territory and "there was no violation of the Turkish air space." The Russian bomber’s crew members managed to eject themselves from the aircraft. One of the pilots was killed by gunfire from the ground and the other was rescued and taken to the Russian air base. The rescue operation involved two Mi-8 (NATO reporting name: Hip) helicopters. One of the rotorcraft was damaged by gunfire from the ground and made a crash landing. A contract marine serviceman was killed while the rest of the crew was evacuated to a safe place. The damaged helicopter was subsequently destroyed by mortar fire from the territory controlled by militants. |
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