Group : Attack Aircrafts
Status : Active
Also Known As : Fullback, Strike Flanker, Su-27IB, Su-32 (export version), Su-32FN, Su-32MF, Su-34E
Origin : Russia
Contractors : NAPO, Sukhoi
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : September 2011
First Flight : April 13, 1990
Total Production : 186
Unitary Cost : RUB 1.1 billion

Development of the Sukhoi Su-32/Su-34 began in the early 1980s as a replacement for proven Su-24 Fencer long range, attack aircraft. It features the basic design airframe of successful Su-27 Flanker air defense fighter aircraft but introducing a new nose section with a two-seat, side-by-side ergonomic cockpit inside an armored titanium capsule and state-of-the-art avionics and liquid crystal displays. The armored cabin features plates of 17mm in thickness. The Su-32, also referred to as the Su-27IB, Su-32FN, Su-32MF or Su-34, has canard foreplanes, a flattened nose and two AL-35F engines for enhanced maneuverability. The spacious and pressurized cockpit with a galley allows the two-man crew to stand up and perform some exercise to relax themselves during long endurance missions. The production Su-34 airplanes are powered by two AL-31MF1 engines rated at 29,762-lb of thrust each with afterburner.

The Su-32 multi-role aircraft can fly maritime patrol, anti-ship attack, day/night all-weather precision strike against small-size and moving targets, low level attack, and anti-submarine warfare missions engaging enemy aviation using short and medium range air-to-air missiles. In-flight refueling capability (one extends the aircraft range from 4,000 kilometers to 7,000 kilometers) enables the Su-32 to perform longer range tactical attack missions typically carried out by Tu-22 Backfire medium-weight bombers. Its advanced architecture allows operations in severe clutter and jamming environments.

The Su-32 aircraft is intended primarily to replace current Su-24 and Tu-22 attack aircraft in the Russian air force. The Su-32 is planned to be one of the three combat aircraft types (PAK FA stealth multi-role fighter and Yak-130/Mig-AT light attack aircraft) operated by Russia beyond the 2010-2015 timeframe. A navalized version intended for the Russian Navy features sea-surface surveillance, submarine reconnaissance, mine detection and capabilities facilitating attacks against enemy surface ships. Russian officials have expressed their commitment on developing reconnaissance and electronic attack variants of the heavy-weight Su-32 aircraft to replace existing Su-24 derivatives. Moreover, Su-32 is expected to use existing and planned bombs and missiles in the Russian inventory.

In June 2003, the Su-32 completed successfully the first government validation tests. By 2004 the Novosibirsk assembly plant delivered the last of eight developmental Su-32/34 fighter-bomber aircrafts. According to Russian press the plane was cleared for service by the Russian Air Force in late 2004. The current plans call for the Su-32/34 to replace all existing Su-24 and Su-24M strike aircraft in the Russian Federation Air Force by 2020. The replacement of Su-24M2 aircraft is expected by 2025. A third batch of 100-150 aircraft, focusing primary on Su-34M, maybe on order but not made public.

Group : Attack Aircrafts
Status : Active
Also Known As : Su-34NVO
Origin : Russia
Contractors : NAPO, Sukhoi
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : June 30, 2022
First Flight : 2018
Total Production : 116

The Russian Air Force Su-34 modernization program, also referred to as Su-34M, is aimed at making the Su-34 platform more survivable in the 2020s environment. So far, the development effort focuses on the Tarantul electronic warfare (EW) system that will render the aircraft or a group of aircraft immune to detection by hostile radars as well as improved performance avionics that could help improve flight qualities. Another item that may be integrated into the Su-34M is a laser jamming system to blind infrared guided missiles and electro-optical sighting systems. The Su-34M weapon system may include a new modification of the Kh-35 anti-ship missile (Kh-35UE) and a new generation of aero ballistic missiles. The modernization program is slated to begin before the end of 2018 with the Su-34M cleared out for operational deployment by 2020.The Russian Ministry of Defense could have placed third batch of 100-150 aircraft, focusing primary on Su-34M, but not made public. The first operational unit within the Russian Air Force started operations at the end of June 2022.

In September 2023, Russia cofirmed that the Su-34 bomber was able to launch the Kinzhal hypersonic cruise missile against targets within Ukraine. The new aircraft is capable of performing 4-5 sorties in a single day.