New Su-30SM2s and Su-34s Have Joined the Russian Aerospace Forces’ Combat Aviation Fleet

A batch of new Su-30SM2 multi-role fighters and Su-34 fighter-bombers has joined the combat aviation fleet of the Russian Aerospace Forces.

The United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), which manufactured the aircraft, announced the delivery on July 9.

The delivery was carried out as part of the aggressor country’s defense order under this year’s program.

The manufacturer states that before being shipped to its home airfield, the aircraft underwent a comprehensive set of required factory ground and flight tests.

The Russians are keeping the number of aircraft delivered under wraps. However, judging by the photos and videos published by UAC, there are either two or four aircraft involved.

Su-30SM2

The Su-30SM2 fighters are a further development of the aircraft currently in service with the Russian Air Force and the Russian Navy’s aviation units. They are manufactured at the Irkutsk Aviation Plant.

It is reported that the new aircraft are equipped with an upgraded suite of onboard avionics, a modern electronic warfare system, and are capable of employing new types of airborne weapons.

Last year, UAC announced that it was working on further improvements to the fighter jet and ramping up its production rate.

Su-34

Su-34, classified in Russia as a fighter-bomber, is designed to engage ground, surface, and air targets at significant distances from its home airfield. The aircraft are also capable of conducting aerial reconnaissance.

The new aircraft are replacing Su-34s destroyed or damaged in the war against Ukraine. Some of the aircraft are also reaching the end of their service life due to their constant use in bombing raids on Ukrainian positions.

Last month, the Russian Ministry of Defense released a video of a Su-34 fitted with a new antenna fairing behind the cockpit, which may indicate the installation of additional communications or electronic warfare equipment.

In late March of this year, it was reported that another Su-34 fighter-bomber belonging to the Russian Aerospace Forces had been lost.