Russia's Su‑34 delivery raises concerns over production pace
Rostec has reported that the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) delivered the first batch of Su-34 aircraft to the Russian Aerospace Forces in 2025. Ukrainian media have noted that the Russian propaganda message does not specify the number of units in this delivery.
According to the Militarnyj portal, the footage released by the Russians suggests that the Russian Aerospace Forces received two Su-34 planes. It further adds that this has been the case in previous deliveries of these aircraft, which the Russians publicised both in 2024 and 2023.
New Su-34 for the Russian army
The delivery of just two Su-34s can be described as "a drop in the ocean of Russian needs." Due to significant losses of this type of aircraft in the war with Ukraine, Rostec's management announced an increase in their production. Nevertheless, as Militarnyj notes, no changes have been observed, and the transfer of subsequent Su-34s continues in the same small batches as in previous years.
The mainstay of Russian combat aviation
According to data from the creator of the Oryx blog, which documents Russian equipment losses, the defending army has managed to eliminate 36 Su-34 units since the start of the war in Ukraine.
This is a tactical bomber developed in the 1990s, often referred to as the mainstay of Russian aviation, as frequently mentioned by Rostec representatives. It is an aircraft measuring over 23 metres in length and equipped with two AL-31F M1 engines.
The Su-34 is capable of reaching speeds of up to 1,900 kilometres per hour. It comes standard with a GS-30-1 30 mm aircraft cannon, but it can also carry up to 8,200 kilograms of additional armament on pylons prepared for this purpose. The compatible arsenal includes, among others, missiles and cruise missiles, as well as aerial bombs. To attack Ukraine, Su-34s armed with KABs, or glide bombs, which pose a very significant threat, are often used.
