Russia plans to modernize Sukhoi Su-34 fighter bomber aircraft Fullback.

The Russian Defense Ministry is considering the modernization of the fleet of frontline Su-34 fighter bomber aircraft NATO code-named Fullback. The aircraft produced at the threshold of 2010s may be the candidates. The upgrade has to include the experience obtained in Syria and in everyday activities. Experts believe Su-34 will replace previous-generation Su-24 and will serve for several decades, the Izvestia daily writes.

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Russian Air Force Sukhoi Su-34 fighter bomber aircraft. (Picture source Vitaly Kuzmin)

Sources in the Russian defense industry said an upgrade of a part of the bomber fleet is considered. The number of aircraft is estimated for the modernization, as well as the volume of work. A new contract for the upgrade may follow. It will complement the existing two contracts for new bombers of the type. Close to a hundred aircraft are to be produced.

Media reports said the Russian Defense Ministry has to receive in June the last four Su-34 of the 92-unit batch ordered in 2012. Over 130 aircraft have been made together with prototypes and pre-batch vehicles. Defense Ministry representatives said it was planned to replace the whole fleet of Su-24M bombers by Su-34.

Su-34 can perform the functions previously entrusted to two aircraft: Su-24 bombers and Su-17 fighter jet/bombers, former Commander of the 4th air force and defense army Lieutenant-General Valery Gorbenko said.

“The two aircraft complemented each other. However, fighter jet/bombers were eliminated as an arm of frontline aviation, as single-engine Su-17 were unsafe and rejected. Su-34 can fulfill the missions of Su-24 and Su-17. It inherited the best from them — big capacity from the former and maneuverability and ability to fire air-to-air missiles from the latter. It is a prospective aircraft whose characteristics will make it serve for long,” he said.

Su-34 carries various arms: unguided and guided missiles, large-caliber bombs and can refuel in the air, Gorbenko said.

Media reports said in June a contract had been signed for another 20 Su-34 developed by the Syrian experience. They can fire new arms, have improved equipment and electronic warfare. The available bombers will be upgraded to the same level to unify the air fleet.

A contract is being prepared for the construction of 76 deeply upgraded bombers which are unofficially called Su-34M or product 10VM. The contract for R&D to expand the combat capabilities was signed in April 2019.

There have been no reports on R&D completion although it had to be done in 2019. However, the Sukhoi Company began procuring components for new Su-34M to decrease the time between contract signing and construction launch.

The upgrade will reportedly concern the whole avionics of the aircraft. The radar, sight and communication system will be improved. The set of precision bombs and missiles will be expanded.

The new and upgraded aircraft will use three unified reconnaissance containers. Separate options are created for radio, electronic and radar reconnaissance. They will be carried by Su-34 on suspension to detect targets in any weather and at a much longer distance, the Izvestia daily said.

The Sukhoi Su-34 NATO reporting name: Fullback is a Soviet-origin Russian twin-engine, twin-seat, all-weather supersonic medium-range fighter-bomber/strike aircraft. The Su-34 is armed with a 30mm GSh-301 gun and 180 rounds of ammunition. It has ten hardpoints for weapon payloads and is able to carry a range of missiles, including air-to-air, air-to-surface, anti-ship and anti-radiation missiles, guided and unguided bombs, and rockets.

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