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Su-34 Fullback Program History

The Su-34 - previously known as the Su-27IB - had been long in the gestation. “The program began in the 1980s and had suffered as a result of funding problems. It is entering service well over a decade after it was envisaged originally to be replacing the Su-24 Fencer. Su-34 is a modification of the Su-27, developed in Experimental Design Bureau (OKB) Sukhoi under the leadership of Rolland Martirosova. It had been commercially produced since 2006 at the aircraft factory in Novosibirsk.

Work on the attack modification of the Su-27, designated the Su-27Sh (attack aircraft), began at the Design Bureau in 1979 and was based on studies on the use of a conformal fuel tank (CFT) suspended between the engine nacelles. The use of the CFT would significantly improve the aircraft's range. It was also decided to use the proposed configuration for the use of a conformal weapons pod (CWC). In January 1980, this proposal was submitted to the General Designer, and after his approval, in-depth study of the materials began. The two-seat Su-27UB variant was considered as the base aircraft, but with the installation of a modified CWC.

The Su-27Sh's ground attack capabilities were planned to be enhanced by expanding its range of weapons through the suspension of specialized missile guidance pods (Ryabina, Tekon-1M, Progress-N, etc.). This gave the aircraft an internal weapons suspension capacity of 8 tons. Work on the Su-27 attack variant was reinvigorated in 1983, with two proposals being prepared and finalized: the Su-27M and Su-27IB, both based on the Su-27UB upgrade. The use of the KKV and KTB was not considered at this time. Then, the Su-27UB was developed with the Voskhod SUV, which was developed for the Su-25TM attack aircraft.

But the chief designer abandoned this successful and logical option and began crafting a mutant. In the spring of 1986, at the initiative of General Designer M.P. Simonov, a decision was made to develop a fundamentally new configuration, with both crew members seated side by side. The initial reason for this choice was the proposal to standardize the Su-27IB's basic avionics with those of the T-60 (Su-24BM2) bombe , which was being designed at the design bureau at the time. The goal was to reduce development costs for both aircraft. Thus, the Su-27IB received a phased array radar and an integrated LTPS developed by UOMZ, optimized for ground attack missions. Added to this were a welded titanium cockpit, a lavatory, and the ability to walk between the seats and stand. Otherwise, the decision was made to maximize the aircraft's commonality with the Su-27M. Naturally, due to the advanced center of gravity and changes in load geometry, the entire fuselage had to be redesigned. Only the empennage was planned to remain unchanged.

The end result: increased drag, years of refinement, and the result—yes, a truly unique mutant. What's going on here? As usual, the chief designer's gamble and budget embezzlement. It all started out well – with a Strike Eagle analogue based on the Su-27UB airframe, without any modifications. The original KKV project was downright progressive. Everything was just like everyone else – standardization, drop pods, versatility – essentially a two-seat Su-27M (Su-35).

The chief designer was perfectly aware that installing a new, heavy nose cone from a long-range bomber (!) would require a complete redesign of the entire airframe, which would take many, many years and promise a lot of money, including copyrights and profits. By the second half of the 1980s, the situation was becoming clear that orders would be scarce, so they decided – why not milk this useless work for 10-15 years? The net result is an extra four tons of parasitic weight due to all these airframe modifications and urinals, which are excessive on a frontline bomber. They would have been showing off their "unique" urinal and 1.5-ton titanium cockpit if not for the war. And that proved the futility of this duck-like concept, which isn't a bird, but in a different sense of the word. As a result, the Su-34 now does what, say, the 1960 Su-7B could have done – it drops bombs with wings whose guidance is in no way connected to the platform itself.

Serial production of the Su-34 began in April 2005. In 2008, a five-year contract was signed for the supply of 32 Su-34 aircraft to the Russian Aerospace Forces; in 2012, the Russian Ministry of Defense signed another contract for the purchase of 92 aircraft of this type. Earlier it was reported that the RF Ministry of Defense is planning to purchase about 200 front-line bombers of the Su-34, which have worked well during the Syrian campaign.

The contract for the supply of 92 Su-34 bombers was signed in 2012. The Novosibirsk aircraft plant (NAZ, a Sukhoi branch, part of the UAC) annually transferred 16-18 aircraft to the military, fulfilling the contract ahead of schedule. In August 2019, it became known that work began on the modernization of the Su-34 bomber, including by equipping it with new weapons and advanced avionics.

The first contract for the supply of Su-34 was concluded with the Russian Ministry of Defense in 2008. Four years later, the machine was put into service. Commander of Air Space Forces (VKS) Viktor Bondarev stated that in the long term Russia would replace the Su-24 and Su-25 attack aircraft with Su-34 frontline bombers. Within the framework of the state program of armaments to 2020, the VKS planned to get at least 200 Su-34 aircraft. As of mid-2016 it as plannd that 92 modified Su-34s would be delivered to the Russian Air Force before 2020.

The Su-27IB (T-10v for the Sukhoi) flew for the first time on 13 April 1990, piloted by Anatoly Ivanov and as the prototype, already called Su-34, it flew on 18 December of 1993. At this time, the development was transferred to the Novosibirsk Aircraft Production Assoc (NAPO) manufacturer in Novosibirsk in Siberia for the base of tests of the Russian Air Force in Zhukovsky. The development was decelerated in 1997 for the Sukhoi to concentrate itself in the development of the Indian Su-30 and the Su-27 acquired by China. The Su-34 was successfully tested in the Chechenya according to Russian authorities, and also it participated of exercises of combat in the military field of Ashuluk in 1999.

It would be the new Russian theater strike aircraft, substituting initially for the Su-24 Fencer (the Russian equivalent of the F-111). By the year 2000 the Russian Air Force had a total of 445 Fencer in Russia, being 365 in the version, B, C, and D and 80 Su-24MR and MP for reconnaisance and Electronic War. Later it would substitute the Su-17 and the Mig-27 in the tactical attack aviation. Also it is planned to be the new Russian naval bomber with coastal base, substituting the naval versions of the 95 Fencer Su-24MF (70 Su-24/Su-24M and 25 Su-24MR/MP) and of the naval Su-17 Fitters and later Tu-22 in attack antiship and Tu-142 in anti-submarine war.

On 15 December 2006 Russia's Air Force received its first two newly built Su-34 Fullback bombers. 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. Though the newly launched Su-34s were marked 01 and 02, they were in fact the latest in a test series of 10 aircraft. Others had been withdrawn by the designer as a basis for further upgrades. The current version had gone through three major upgrades: in 1999, 2004, and earlier in 2006. Mikhailov said Russia's Air Force needs about 200 Su-34s, which would 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 would be replaced with Su-34s in around 20 years."

The commander said the Su-34 had been modernized twice since the late 1980s, when it was designed, and would be further modernized after 10 years in service. Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said earlier that Russia's Air Force would buy 58 Su-34s by 2015. Deputy Prime Minister, Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said Russia's Defense Ministry would purchase a regiment of 24 newest Su-34 planes for the Air Force by 2010. "Everything had been coordinated and decided upon in a short-term perspective. The Defense Ministry was granted the right from 2004 to conclude long-term three-year contacts with defense companies. As a result, two batch-production Su-34 planes would be purchased in 2006, six in 2007, ten in 2008, with purchases increasing in coming years. Therefore, we have to buy a whole regiment of 24 Su-34 planes in 2010," the deputy prime minister said.

The Su-32 and Su-34 have been developed and were in serial production in Novosibirsk Aircraft Production Assoc (NAPO) for the Russian Ministry of Defence. As of December 2006 it was estimated that by the middle of the next decade the plant would produce as many as 70 fuselage kits for SuperJet and ten Su-34s annually (with provision for 20 Su-34s in case of necessity). Export potential is estimated at between 100 and 200 aircraft. The Su-34 fighter-bomber is intended to replace Russian Su-17, Su-24, and the MiG-27. A reconnaissance variant would replace the Su-24MR in the tactical reconnaissance and EW role.

The Su-34 would replace the Su-24M aircraft (about 400 planes), the Su-24MR surveillance aircraft (over 100 planes), and the MiG-25RB aircraft (about 70). Russia would have to produce between 550 and 600 Su-34s to replace these obsolete aircraft within 10-15 years. However, the Defense Ministry plans to buy only about 58 such planes by 2015, and a total of 300 by 2022. Many experts say that if the Su-24 and MiG-25RB aircraft are scrapped by 2020, Russia would be left without fighter-bombers and surveillance aircraft. Others argue that this number would be enough for the Air Force's new concept.

The Russian Defense Ministry had signed a deal for 92 Su-34 Fullback fighter-bombers from the Sukhoi aircraft maker, the ministry said on 01 March 2012. The deal under which the warplanes are to be delivered by 2020 was signed by Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov and Sukhoi General Director Igor Ozar. This is one of the largest warplane contracts under the government arms procurement program and it would help replace all of the Su-24 bombers currently in service with the “4+ generation” aircraft, Serdyukov said. The Ministry would take delivery of 10 Su-34s in 2012, all of them to be deployed in the Western Military District. Last year six fighter-bombers were delivered to the Air Force. These come under an initial contract for 32 Su-34s. At present the Air Force had 12 Su-34s. Factoring in the new contract, the Air Force would have a total of 124 Su-34s. The ministry previously said a total of 70 Su-34s would be delivered by 2015.

The Sukhoi aircraft maker would deliver a total of 30 Su-34 Fullback strike aircraft to the Russian Air Force by the end of 2014, the Defense Ministry said 12 October 2013. The Su-34s are manufactured by the Novosibirsk aircraft plant, part of the Sukhoi holding, located in Russia’s Siberia region. “The current [2013] year plan on the delivery of 14 [Su-34] aircraft under the state defense order would be fulfilled, and the plant had promised to deliver another 16 fighter-bombers next year,” the ministry said in a statement, citing a report by the Novosibirsk plant. The Air Force is due to get a total of 124 Su-34s by 2020 under two contracts with the Sukhoi holding. According to official data, 29 series-production Su-34s had been delivered to the Russian military so far.

Aerospace Russian forces in 2017 would receive 16 new Sukhoi Su-34 in a total volume of the order of 92 aircraft. Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov stated this 10 Mrch 2017 when visiting Novosibirsk Aircraft Plant named after Chkalov. "Novosibirsk Aircraft Plant had a long contract with the Ministry of Defence on the 92 Su-34 and executes it ahead of schedule on almost a year this year, we expect above-plan delivery of four aircraft, and the total amount of the order of the year -. 16 Su-34", - said Borisov .

"In the shop there are nine aircraft final assembly, it is said that the plant's commitment for this year would certainly be made by the aircraft delivery schedule with the Ministry of Defense agreed, we do not expect any surprises." said the deputy head of the military department.

Two Su-34 fighter bomber from the 277th Bomber Aviation Regiment (Khurba airfield, Komsomolsk-on-Amur) collided on 18 January 2019 over the Sea of Japan 35 km from the coast during a scheduled training flight. According to preliminary data, all four pilots from two crews ejected. Two pilots died, the body of one of them was found in the Tatar Strait and was taken aboard the fishing vessel Electron. Another pilot was rescued, he was taken to the airfield of the Eastern Military District. After the collision of fighter-bombers, the fate of the second crew was unknown. According to another source, the cause of the accident was a piloting error, no technical failures on the aircraft were recorded.

Previously, only two incidents with aircraft of this type were known — on June 4, 2015, when landing at the Buturlinovka airfield (Voronezh Region), the bomber rolled out of the runway and overturned. On July 31, 2018, a similar situation occurred in Khurba (Khabarovsk Territory), where the plane rolled out almost 500 meters. In both cases, the cause was the failure of the braking parachute system.

In the coming months, the Sukhoi company would complete the execution of a contract with the Russian Defense Ministry for the supply of 92 Su-34 bombers, an informed source told Interfax 25 January 2020. "It is expected that the last four aircraft under the current contract would be transferred to the customer in the first half of 2020," the agency’s source said. According to him, a new contract, the signing of which was expected at the end of 2019, had not yet been concluded.

The Russian Ministry of Defense planned in the summer to sign a new contract for the supply of several dozen Su-34 front-line bombers to the Russian Aerospace Forces, the combat capabilities of which would be expanded following the results of the Sych development work. This was announced on 19 February 2020 to TASS a source in the military-industrial complex. "The military department plans to conclude a contract this summer with Sukhoi Company PJSC for the supply of several dozen Su-34s with advanced combat capabilities to the troops. The aircraft would be integrated with the latest radio-electronic equipment, created as part of the Sych development work, ”said the agency’s interlocutor. He clarified that the Sych Rocket Development Project was completed in 2019 and, in particular, “involves the installation of suspended reconnaissance containers on the Su-34.” "Also in the course of this work, the range of aircraft weapons that Su-34 can use is significantly expanded," the source said.

The Russian Ministry of Defense signed a three-year contract for the construction of about 20 Su-34 front-line bombers. This was reported to TASS on 08 June by a source in the military-industrial complex. "Last week, a contract was signed between the Ministry of Defense and PJSC Sukhoi for the construction of about 20 Su-34 front-line bombers," he said. According to the interlocutor of the agency, these are typical aircraft with certain changes in the experience of operating in the troops of several dozen bombers of this type previously purchased. The contract for the purchase of the upgraded Su-34M "is planned to be signed in 2021," the source added.

Production was ramped up following the conflict in Ukraine, with deliveries occurring throughout 2024 and into 2025. At least 10 newly built aircraft were delivered in 2024. Production was estimated to have more than doubled since 2022, with around 30 airframes being produced annually. Russia aimed to increase Su-34 production to replenish its fleet, with potential to grow to nearly 300 by the early 2030s.

Rostec's United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) manufactured and delivered a new batch of Su-34 fighter-bombers to the Russian Ministry of Defense as part of a state defense order, UAC repoirted October 6, 2025. "The Su-34 multirole bomber has long been a legend. This aircraft combines high maneuverability, a wide range of weapons, and the ability to operate effectively in any conditions. During its deployment in the Air Defense Zone, it has confirmed its status as the best in its class and remains a key element of Russia's combat aviation. We understand the high demand for this aircraft in the armed forces. Our aircraft factories are maintaining the pace of Su-34 production and regularly supply new aircraft to the customer, strengthening the country's defense capability. More deliveries are planned for the end of the year," Rostec stated. The fighter-bombers had completed a series of required ground and flight factory tests and have been handed over to the customer. "As part of the implementation of the targets set by the Russian Minister of Defense for the delivery of highly sought-after weapons and equipment to the troops, the Aerospace Forces crew accepted the Su-34 aircraft. This aircraft's unique feature is its ability to perform combat missions across the entire speed range. This aircraft has proven itself in the Air Defense Forces. We can employ both guided and unguided air strikes," noted a Su-34 pilot of the Russian Aerospace Forces. The Su-34 fighter-bomber is designed to engage ground (surface) and airborne targets, as well as infrastructure protected by air defense systems and located at significant distances from its base. The aircraft can also be used for aerial reconnaissance missions. "UAC enterprises maintain a high rate of military equipment production, fulfilling their obligations to the Russian Aerospace Forces. This is not the last delivery this year. Our employees at the plants are constantly improving production processes to ensure the required aircraft production volumes for the Russian Ministry of Defense," said Vadim Badekha, UAC CEO. As of early October 2025, Russia had received at least 153 Su-34 aircraft in total production, including prototypes and pre-production units. Production has increased to an estimated 30 airframes per year to compensate for losses in the conflict in Ukraine.