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Sukhoi Su-34

Sukhoi · Bomber · Russia · Digital Age (2010–present)

Sukhoi Su-34 — Bomber
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The Sukhoi Su-34 (NATO reporting name Fullback) is a Russian twin-engine, two-seat, supersonic strike-bomber developed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau as a redesigned strike derivative of the Su-27 Flanker family. After protracted development through the 1990s, the type entered Russian Aerospace Forces service in 2014 and now serves as Russia's principal theatre strike-bomber. Compared with the Su-27, the Su-34 introduces a side-by-side two-seat cockpit, expanded internal fuel, broader weapons compatibility, and updated mission systems for sustained-strike sorties. As of 2026, more than 150 Su-34 and Su-34M airframes are in active Russian service, with a programme target of 200+ aircraft by 2030.

The airframe measures roughly 76 ft (23.3 m) long with a 48-ft (14.7 m) wingspan. Empty weight is around 49,200 lb and maximum take-off weight reaches 99,000 lb. Power comes from two Saturn-Lyulka AL-31FM1 afterburning turbofans rated at 17,800 lbf dry and 27,600 lbf in afterburner each — the same family fitted to the Su-27. Top speed is Mach 1.8 (about 1,200 mph at altitude), service ceiling is 49,000 ft, and typical combat radius is around 600 nmi, longer than the Su-27 thanks to roughly twice the internal fuel. Distinctive features include a side-by-side cockpit enclosed in a titanium armour 'tub' (rare for a jet aircraft), a redesigned forward fuselage, 12 external hardpoints carrying up to 17,600 lb of stores, the Leninets B-004 Pulse-Doppler radar, and a cockpit fitted with galley and lavatory provisions for sustained 10+ hour missions.

The Su-34's primary mission is theatre strike — delivering precision-guided weapons against ground and surface targets in moderately permissive air-defence environments. Standard armament centres on a single GSh-301 30mm cannon mounted in the port-side fuselage, supplemented by 12 external hardpoints. Air-to-ground stores include KAB-500, KAB-1500, and KAB-1500L laser-guided bombs; Kh-29, Kh-58, Kh-31, and Kh-59 air-to-ground missiles; and Kh-101 / Kh-555 long-range cruise missiles in limited carriage. R-27, R-73, and R-77 air-to-air missiles provide self-defence, and the type also delivers FAB-500, FAB-1500, and FAB-3000 conventional high-explosive bombs. Total weapons payload reaches 17,600 lb across all hardpoints.

Russian Su-34s have flown extensively in combat since 2014. The type carried out thousands of strike sorties during Russian operations in Syria from 2015 onward, targeting ISIS and opposition forces, and has been heavily committed in the Russia-Ukraine war from 2022 onward against Ukrainian military infrastructure, command-and-control nodes, and civilian infrastructure with reported civilian casualties. Combat attrition has been severe: more than 30 Su-34s have been lost in the Russia-Ukraine war through 2024 — among the highest combat-loss rates of any current Russian combat type. Losses have come from Ukrainian Stinger and Igla MANPADS, Western-supplied IRIS-T SLM, NASAMS, and Patriot systems, and other ground-based threats. The attrition reflects both platform exposure and Russian doctrine of close-range strike profiles that expose aircraft to MANPADS. Production continues at the Novosibirsk Aircraft Production Association (NAPO), part of UAC, supporting the 200+ airframe target by 2030.

For Kids — a shorter, friendlier version

The Sukhoi Su-34 (NATO code Fullback) is a Russian strike bomber based on the Su-27 fighter. The Su-34 first flew in 1990 and entered service in 2014 after a long development. It is Russia's main attack jet for hitting ground targets.

The Su-34 has two Saturn-Lyulka AL-31FM1 jet engines, each making 27,600 pounds of thrust with afterburner. Top speed is Mach 2, faster than a rifle bullet. The plane is 76 feet long with a 48-foot wingspan, longer than a school bus. It can carry 17,600 pounds of bombs and missiles under its wings and body.

The Su-34 has a unique cockpit. Two pilots sit side by side inside a titanium armor tub for protection. The cockpit even has a small kitchen and toilet, so the crew can fly missions of 10 hours or more. No other fighter jet has these comforts.

More than 150 Su-34s fly with the Russian Air Force today. Russia has used them heavily in Syria since 2015 and Ukraine since 2022. Many Su-34s have been lost in Ukraine, more than 30 by 2024. The Russian goal is to have 200 Su-34s by 2030.

Fun Facts

  • The Su-34 has a side-by-side cockpit with a titanium armor tub.
  • Top speed is Mach 2, faster than a rifle bullet.
  • The Su-34 is 76 feet long, longer than a school bus.
  • The cockpit has a small kitchen and a toilet for 10+ hour missions.
  • The Su-34 can carry 17,600 pounds of bombs and missiles.
  • More than 150 Su-34s fly with the Russian Air Force.
  • The Su-34 is based on the Su-27 fighter.

Kids’ Questions

Why a kitchen in a jet?

The Su-34 is built for very long missions, sometimes 10 hours or more. Two pilots sit close together for the whole flight. A small kitchen lets them heat up food, and a toilet lets them go without ending the mission early. Most fighter jets have no such comforts because their missions are shorter.

Why side-by-side seats?

The two pilots in a Su-34 share the work: one flies the jet while the other handles bombs, missiles, and the radar. Side-by-side seats let them talk and pass things easily, like in a car. Most fighters with two pilots seat them one behind the other, but the Su-34 is built for long ground-attack missions where teamwork matters more than fighter agility.

What is the armor tub?

The cockpit floor and walls are made of thick titanium, like a metal bathtub around the pilots. This protects them from bullets, small rocket pieces, and gun fire from below. Titanium is strong but light, so it adds protection without making the plane too heavy. The American A-10 Warthog and Russian Su-25 also use titanium armor tubs.

Variants

Su-34 (initial 'Fullback', 2014)
Original 2014 production variant and backbone of Russian Aerospace Forces strike capability. More than 120 delivered.
Su-34M (2020+)
Updated variant introduced in 2020 with refreshed mission systems, broader weapons compatibility (including Kh-101 and Kh-50 cruise missiles plus newer glide bombs), and a revised cockpit. More than 30 delivered with the upgrade programme continuing.
Su-34NVO
Further-developed variant adding expanded electronic-warfare protection and updated sensor compatibility. Public details remain limited.
Su-32FN / Su-32MF (proposed export)
Proposed export configurations tailored to individual customers. No firm export contracts as of 2026.

Notable Operators

Russian Aerospace Forces
Sole operator, with more than 150 Su-34 and Su-34M airframes in active service across multiple regiments delivering theatre strike. Heavily combat-deployed in the Russia-Ukraine war from 2022 onward, with more than 30 lost through 2024.
Foreign / export
None as of 2026. Several export proposals have been floated but no firm contracts signed; mission-system sensitivities and Russian export-policy considerations have limited foreign prospects.
Future / planned
Russian programme target of 200+ Su-34 / Su-34M by 2030, with production continuing at Novosibirsk. The Su-34M upgrade path is intended to extend service life through 2040 and beyond.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Su-34 have side-by-side cockpit?

The layout is driven by sustained-mission requirements. Su-34 sorties can run 10+ hours, so the design prioritises crew comfort and workload management. Side-by-side seating delivers better crew communication and coordination, a larger combined display area, and uniquely for a strike-bomber, room for a galley and lavatory in the fuselage. Workload between pilot and weapons-systems officer is also better balanced. The trade-offs are a larger forward-fuselage cross-section and reduced manoeuvrability compared with the Su-27 baseline. Air-superiority performance was deliberately deprioritised in favour of the strike-bomber role, though R-27, R-73, and R-77 air-to-air missiles are retained for self-defence.

How does Su-34 differ from Su-27?

It is a redesigned strike-bomber rather than a Flanker variant in the usual sense. The Su-27 Flanker is a single-seat air-superiority fighter with a baseline Pulse-Doppler radar. The Su-34 'Fullback' adds a side-by-side two-seat cockpit, a strike-bomber mission set, an updated Pulse-Doppler radar with broader sensor fit, roughly twice the internal fuel of the Su-27, titanium armour around the cockpit, and crew-comfort provisions. In effect the Su-34 is a clean-sheet strike-bomber that shares only Flanker family heritage and the basic engines. Both types operate together in the Russian Aerospace Forces — Su-27 for air superiority, Su-34 for strike.

What is Su-34's combat record in Ukraine?

Heavy use with heavy losses. Since 2022 Su-34s have struck Ukrainian targets including the bombing of the Mariupol Drama Theatre on 16 March 2022, which killed around 600 Ukrainian civilians sheltering in the building, alongside other strikes on civilian and military infrastructure. Combat losses through 2024 number more than 30, an attrition rate high relative to the production rate. Causes include Ukrainian Stinger and Igla MANPADS, Western-supplied IRIS-T SLM, NASAMS, and Patriot air-defence systems, other ground-based threats, and a small number of air-to-air engagements. Performance reflects both the platform itself and Russian operational doctrine, particularly close-range strike profiles that expose aircraft to MANPADS.

What weapons does Su-34 carry?

A full strike loadout. Air-to-ground stores include KAB-500, KAB-1500, and KAB-1500L laser-guided bombs in the 1,100-3,300 lb class; Kh-29, Kh-58, Kh-31, and Kh-59 missiles covering anti-ship, anti-radiation, and modular guided strike; Kh-101 and Kh-555 long-range cruise missiles in limited carriage; and FAB-500, FAB-1500, and FAB-3000 conventional bombs from 1,100 to 6,600 lb. Self-defence air-to-air weapons include R-27, R-73, and R-77 missiles, and gun armament is a single GSh-301 30mm cannon. Maximum payload reaches 17,600 lb across 12 hardpoints — broadly comparable in role to the U.S. F-15E Strike Eagle.

How much does Su-34 cost?

Roughly $50-60M USD per airframe at Russian production cost, with export pricing higher. Total programme cost runs to about $10-12B USD across the planned 200-aircraft fleet, covering acquisition plus 30 years of operations and support. That is well above older Russian strike aircraft such as the Su-24 Fencer at around $25M USD in 1990s dollars, reflecting the newer mission systems. Operating cost is around $35,000-45,000 per flight hour, broadly in line with Western equivalents — the F-15E Strike Eagle runs about $40,000 per hour.

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