Article Posted on : - Jun 11, 2014

The Su-34 fighter bomber. A Sukhoi photo

MOSCOW (BNS): Under the 2014 State Defence Order, the Sukhoi Company has delivered the first batch of Su-34 frontline bombers to the Russian Air Force on June 10.

The aircraft took off the airfield of the Novosibirsk aircraft plant and headed to the place of their deployment, the Company announced without disclosing the total number of bombers delivered.

The new bombers were delivered according to the 2012 State Contract for a large batch of Su-34s. The 5-year state contract for Su-34s signed in 2008 was fulfilled in December 2013, it said.

The 4+ generation Su-34s are replacing the Su-24 frontline bombers which are presently in service with the Russian Air Force.

The Russian Defence Ministry has placed an order for a total of 124 Su-34s to be delivered to the Air Force by 2020.

While the first contract for 32 Su-34s was awarded in 2008, another contract was inked in March 2012 for 92 more such bombers.

The multi-role Su-34 fighter bomber is designed to attack land-based, sea- and airborne targets by day and night in all weather conditions.

The strike plane is armed with highly effective long-range air-to-surface and air-to-air guided weapons enabling multi-channel operational employment. It also features a smart anti-radar defence system, an armed cockpit and latest computers that provide extra capabilities for the pilot and navigator to perform aimed bombing and to manoeuver under enemy fire.

The Su-34 also features an air refueling system for mid-air refueling.