What You Need to Know: The Russian Air Force has reportedly lost at least 35 Su-34 fighter-bombers in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, accounting for about a quarter of its pre-war fleet of 140 aircraft. In response, the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) announced the delivery of a new batch of Su-34s to the Russian Aerospace Forces.

-While the exact number remains undisclosed, analysts suggest that only six have been delivered in 2023, indicating production constraints.

-The Su-34, considered one of Russia's most advanced multirole combat aircraft, is now equipped with ODAB-500 thermobaric bombs and UMPK guidance kits. Despite these enhancements, questions remain about Russia's ability to replace its losses quickly as the conflict continues.

With Losses Mounting, Additional 'Batch' of Su-34s Delivered to Russian Air Force

According to reports from open-source intelligence data, the Russian Air Force has lost at least thirty-five of its Sukhoi Su-34 (NATO reporting name Fullback) fighter-bombers in the ongoing fighting in Ukraine. Prior to Russia's unprovoked invasion in February 2022, the Russian Aerospace Forces were believed to operate around 140 of the twin-engine, twin-seat all-weather medium-range strike aircraft in service.

If the number of losses is accurate, the Kremlin has lost around a quarter of its fleet and is now struggling to bolster the numbers. On Wednesday, Rostec subsidiary United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) announced that the latest batch of Su-34 had been delivered to the Russian Aerospace Forces.

"Another batch of Su-34 aircraft has joined the Aerospace Forces," First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov told Russian state media outlet Tass.

"The rhythmic and timely deliveries suggest the aviation industry's smooth operation in the interests of the Russian Armed Forces. I am confident that new and expanded capabilities of our Su-34 aircraft - and today this is an aircraft with the widest range of armament - will contribute to achieving objectives in the special military operation," Manturov added.

However, the UAC chief didn't specify how many Su-34s were in the latest batch, and aviation experts have suggested it could be just a handful of aircraft.

Simple Flying cited analysts at the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), who estimated that just six of the aircraft were delivered in 2023. The news report also described Russia's Su-34 production as "constrained."

Required Rate of Production?

Tass further reported that the Su-34 fighter-bombers were "manufactured under the production program of this year. The bombers have undergone a series of ground and flight tests.

UAC CEO Yury Slyusar also told Tass that the state-owned defense contractor has been able to maintain the "required pace of production" for the Su-34.

"Providing the Army and the Navy with new aircraft is our basic task," Slyusar explained. "Simultaneously, defense enterprises constantly work on improving production processes and introducing technologies that make it possible to boost output."

The Su-34 Fullback, Explained 

The multirole twin-engine, twin-seat, all-weather supersonic medium-range fighter-bomber was initially developed for the Soviet Air Forces in the 1980s. However, it was one of the Kremlin's many programs that were forced on the backburner following the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the economic crisis that followed.

The program was only revived in earnest in the early 2000s, with eight pre-production aircraft built for trials and evaluations. The Su-34 formally entered service in 2014 – although there are reports that the strike aircraft was employed during the Russo-Georgia War of 2008.

Recent reports have also suggested that Russia's Su-34 aircraft are being armed with the new ODAB-500 thermobaric bombs equipped with a UMPK guidance kit that converts traditional bombs into highly accurate guided ammunition. The ordnance was developed to be delivered by aircraft, making it a strategic asset for targeting dense, fortified, or underground facilities that are difficult to destroy with conventional explosives. It boasts a destructive range of 25 to 30 meters.

The Su-34 is considered among the best Russian multirole combat aircraft and its ability to employ the ODAD-500 makes it a dangerous warbird. The good news for Kyiv is that Moscow likely can't replace it as fast as the aircraft it being shot out of the sky.

Author Experience and Expertise: Peter Suciu

Peter Suciu is a Michigan-based writer. He has contributed to more than four dozen magazines, newspapers, and websites with over 3,200 published pieces over a twenty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: [email protected].

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