PUBLISHED on August 18, 2025, 11:05 AM EDT – Key Points and Summary: Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) has delivered a new batch of Su-34 “4++ generation” fighter-bombers to its Aerospace Forces, continuing an accelerated production schedule.
-The Su-34, a modernized derivative of the Su-27, is a critical asset for Moscow, serving as a versatile air-to-ground platform.
-Despite its Cold War-era origins, Russia is investing heavily in the Su-34, more than doubling production since 2022 to an estimated 30 airframes per year.
-This focus on upgrading a mature and reliable platform reflects a broader strategy to maintain combat readiness while next-generation programs are still in development.
Russia’s Su-34 Fullback Grows in Number
Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) has delivered another batch of 4++ generation Su-34 fighter-bombers to its Aerospace Forces.
Russia’s now well-established process of accelerated production has made the Su-34 one of the most frequently procured combat aircraft in the country’s air fleet since the Soviet era.
UAC, a state-owned manufacturer, confirmed the latest handover took place at the Chkalov Aircraft plant in Novosibirsk as part of the 2025 state defense procurement program. The aircraft successfully completed a full cycle of factory testing, including system checks and flight performance trials in multiple operation modes, before flying to their permanent bases.
“Increased production and consistent Su-34 deliveries reflect our committed approach to modernizing the Aerospace Forces’ tactical aviation fleet. Beyond the Su-34 program, United Aircraft Corporation is preparing additional aircraft deliveries to the Ministry of Defense under the current armament program. These measures support the operational readiness and combat potential of the nation’s aviation forces,” UAC said in a statement.
Oleg Yevtushenko, the Executive Director of Rostec, described the aircraft as “best in its class,” adding that the state-owned defense conglomerate’s factories continue to ramp up production of the aircraft.
“The Su-34 frontline bomber has long proven itself as the best in its class. Its capabilities allow pilots to operate successfully in theaters of war and employ both unguided and guided munitions. The aircraft is in demand under modern combat conditions, and our aircraft factories have increased production rates to ensure regular deliveries to the troops,” Yevtushenko said.
Why the Su-34?
First flown in 1990 and introduced into service in 2014, the Su-34 is a mature 4++ generation fighter-bomber – meaning it is a sequentially-upgraded new aircraft based on a 4th generation platform. The newest versions of the aircraft incorporate advanced digital avionics, networked systems, and other enhancements.
Known by its NATO reporting name Fullback, the Su-34 is a modified derivative of the Su-27 air superiority fighter, optimized for air-to-ground operations. It’s roughly 50 percent heavier than its predecessor, and the largest and longest-ranged fighter class currently in production worldwide.
It means that, despite its age, the Su-34 is a valuable asset for the Russian Air Force while it continues work on next-generation fighter concepts.
It is not uncommon for older platforms to be utilized, upgraded, and enhanced over time – and the United States is even utilizing that same model, pouring money into an ongoing viability upgrade program for the F-22 Raptor. The investment allows the U.S. Air Force to utilize advanced and emerging technologies on a well-established and reliable platform.
Production of the Su-34, meanwhile, has more than doubled since 2022, with an estimated 30 airframes now rolling out each year.
In 2024, six of the 14 fighter batches delivered to the Russian Defense Ministry were Su-34s, and officials have projected the fleet could grow to almost 300 by the early 2030s.
About the Author:
Jack Buckby is a British author, counter-extremism researcher, and journalist based in New York. Reporting on the U.K., Europe, and the U.S., he works to analyze and understand left-wing and right-wing radicalization, and reports on Western governments’ approaches to the pressing issues of today. His books and research papers explore these themes and propose pragmatic solutions to our increasingly polarized society. His latest book is The Truth Teller: RFK Jr. and the Case for a Post-Partisan Presidency.
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