Sukhoi Su-24
Sukhoi · Bomber · Russia · Cold War (1970–1991)
The Sukhoi Su-24 (NATO reporting name Fencer) is a Soviet supersonic, all-weather, twin-engine, side-by-side-cockpit, variable-sweep-wing strike aircraft — the Soviet equivalent of the U.S. F-111 Aardvark. The Su-24 first flew on 17 January 1970 and entered Soviet Air Force service in 1974. About 1,400 airframes were produced between 1970 and 1993. Russian Aerospace Forces still operate Su-24M variants in 2026; Ukraine, Azerbaijan, and Algeria are smaller current operators.
The Su-24's design was driven by the same in-service requirement that drove the F-111: deliver nuclear and conventional ordnance through hostile air defences at low level, in any weather, day or night. The variable-sweep wing (16°/35°/45°/69° fixed positions) lets the aircraft take off from short runways at low sweep, then accelerate to Mach 1.35 at low altitude with the wing fully swept. The two crew members — pilot and weapons-systems officer — sit side-by-side behind a single windscreen, an unusual configuration shared with the F-111 and F-15E Strike Eagle.
The Su-24 has seen heavy combat use across multiple conflicts. The Soviet Air Force operated Su-24s in the 1979-1989 Soviet-Afghan War, where the type's terrain-following radar and laser-guided weapons proved useful in the mountainous Hindu Kush. Russian Su-24s flew thousands of sorties in the 1994-1996 First Chechen War, the 2008 Russo-Georgian War, the 2015-onward Syrian civil war intervention, and the 2022-onward war in Ukraine. Ukrainian Su-24Ms have been used to launch Storm Shadow / SCALP cruise missiles against Russian targets including the Kerch Bridge.
The Su-24 has an unusually high accident rate — about 75 hull losses since 1991 — attributed to the aircraft's complex variable-sweep mechanism and the intensive low-altitude strike-mission profile. The Su-24 also features in one of the most-publicised modern combat-aircraft losses: a Russian Su-24M was shot down by a Turkish F-16 on 24 November 2015 over the Syria-Turkey border, the first NATO aircraft to shoot down a Russian combat aircraft since the Korean War. Russia's planned successor (the Sukhoi Su-34 Fullback, in service since 2014) is gradually replacing the Su-24 fleet through the 2020s.
For Kids — a shorter, friendlier version
The Sukhoi Su-24 Fencer is Russia's all-weather attack bomber. It has swing wings (like the F-111 and Tornado) — wings that spread wide for slow flight and sweep back for high-speed flight. The Su-24 first flew in 1967 and entered Soviet service in 1974.
The Su-24 is about 75 feet long — much longer than a school bus. Two big Saturn AL-21 engines. Top speed Mach 1.35 at low altitude (the Su-24 is designed to fly low and fast through enemy radar). Two crew members sit side-by-side in the cockpit — pilot on the left, weapons officer on the right.
The Su-24 was Russia's main strike aircraft for over 50 years. About 1,400 were built between 1974 and 1993. Operators include Russia, Algeria, Angola, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Iran, Kazakhstan, Libya, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan. Many were lost in combat — including a famous 2015 incident where Turkey hit a Russian Su-24 near the Syria border.
The Su-24 has been used in combat by Russia in Afghanistan (1980s), Chechnya (1990s), Georgia (2008), Syria (2015+), and Ukraine (2022+). It's gradually being replaced by the newer Su-34 Fullback (which has fixed wings). Russia still operates about 200 Su-24s in 2026 — they remain important attack aircraft.
Fun Facts
- The Su-24 has swing wings — they spread wide for slow flight and sweep back for high-speed flight.
- About 1,400 Su-24s were built between 1974 and 1993.
- Two crew sit side-by-side in the Su-24: pilot on the left, weapons officer on the right.
- Top speed Mach 1.35 at low altitude — designed to fly low and fast through enemy radar.
- Turkey hit a Russian Su-24 in 2015 near the Syria border — a major international incident.
- Russia still operates about 200 Su-24s in 2026.
- The Su-24 is being replaced by the newer Su-34 Fullback (fixed-wing strike aircraft).
Kids’ Questions
Why fly low and fast?
Radar systems usually scan looking forward and up — they have trouble seeing things very close to the ground because the ground blocks their view. Flying low (like 100-500 feet above ground) hides an airplane from most radar systems. Flying fast (Mach 1+ at low altitude) gives the airplane less time to be detected. The Su-24, F-111, and Tornado were all designed for this kind of mission — penetrating enemy airspace by hiding behind terrain. The trade-off: flying low and fast is dangerous (terrain, weather, ground fire) and uses lots of fuel. Modern fighters use stealth shaping instead, which lets them fly at higher altitudes.
What was the 2015 Turkey-Russia Su-24 incident?
On November 24, 2015, a Russian Su-24 was hit by Turkish F-16s near the Syria-Turkey border. Turkey said the Su-24 had briefly entered Turkish airspace despite multiple warnings. Russia denied the Su-24 crossed the border and called the incident an "act of aggression." One Russian pilot ejected safely but was lost to ground fire. The other was rescued by Russian and Syrian forces. The incident caused a major diplomatic crisis between Russia and Turkey. Russia banned tourism to Turkey and stopped buying Turkish food. Turkish President Erdogan eventually apologized in June 2016, ending the crisis. This was the first time a NATO country had hit a Russian airplane since the Korean War.
Variants
- Su-24 (basic, Fencer-A/B/C)
- Initial production variants 1974-1981. Lyulka AL-21F-3A turbojets. About 600 built. Largely retired or upgraded to Su-24M standard.
- Su-24M (Fencer-D)
- Mid-life refresh with new Tigr nav/attack system, Kh-25/Kh-29/Kh-59 air-to-ground missiles, in-flight refuelling probe. About 770 built. The bulk of current Russian and export fleet.
- Su-24MR (Fencer-E)
- Reconnaissance variant with side-looking-airborne-radar, infrared linescan, and electronic-intelligence sensors. About 130 built. Replaced by Tu-214R in Russian service.
- Su-24M2 (upgraded)
- 2007 upgrade programme adding glass-cockpit avionics, GLONASS navigation, and SVP-24 sighting computer. About 30 Russian Su-24Ms upgraded to M2 standard.
Notable Operators
- Russian Aerospace Forces
- Lead operator. Approximately 110 Su-24Ms and Su-24M2s in active service as of 2026, deployed at airbases in western Russia and Crimea. Combat-tested in Afghanistan, Chechnya, Georgia, Syria, and Ukraine.
- Ukrainian Air Force
- Operates approximately 15 Su-24Ms in 2026. Combat-tested launching Storm Shadow / SCALP-EG cruise missiles against Russian targets in Crimea (Kerch Bridge attacks 2023-2024) and the Black Sea Fleet.
- Algerian, Azerbaijani air forces
- Smaller export operators. Algeria operates about 30 Su-24MK; Azerbaijan operates about 12 Su-24MK. Both fleets used for surveillance and strike training.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Sukhoi Su-24's role?
All-weather low-level strike. The Su-24 delivers nuclear and conventional ordnance through hostile air defences at low altitude, day or night, in any weather. The variable-sweep wing lets the aircraft take off from short runways then dash at Mach 1.35 at low altitude. Soviet/Russian equivalent of the U.S. F-111 Aardvark.
Did the Su-24 fight in Ukraine?
Yes — both sides. Russian Aerospace Forces Su-24s flew thousands of sorties against Ukrainian targets from February 2022. Ukrainian Air Force Su-24Ms have been combat-tested launching Storm Shadow / SCALP-EG cruise missiles against Russian targets including the Kerch Bridge (2023-2024) and Black Sea Fleet ships in Sevastopol harbour.
When was a Russian Su-24 shot down?
24 November 2015 — a Russian Su-24M was shot down by a Turkish F-16 over the Syria-Turkey border after allegedly briefly entering Turkish airspace. This was the first NATO aircraft to shoot down a Russian combat aircraft since the Korean War. The incident dramatically escalated Russia-Turkey tensions for several months.
How fast does the Sukhoi Su-24 fly?
Maximum speed Mach 1.35 (875 mph) at low altitude — supersonic at sea level, which most strike aircraft cannot achieve. High-altitude maximum is Mach 1.6. The variable-sweep wing makes the low-level supersonic role possible.
How is the Su-24 being replaced?
The Sukhoi Su-34 Fullback (in service since 2014) is the Russian Aerospace Forces's planned Su-24 replacement. About 130 Su-34s have been delivered as of 2026; replacement of the Su-24 fleet is expected to complete by approximately 2030.
Sources
See Also
- Sukhoi Su-34 Fullback — Successor strike aircraft (replacement)
- General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark — U.S. swing-wing strike-aircraft equivalent
- Panavia Tornado IDS — European swing-wing strike aircraft contemporary
- Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 — Sister Soviet swing-wing aircraft (fighter)
- Sukhoi Su-25 Frogfoot — Sister Soviet ground-attack aircraft