laststandonzombieisland

While the world media seems to love to relay countless stories of how the Russian Military is but a shadow of its Cold War ancestor, several news stories are neglected. Importantly the Russian Military Air Forces (RMAF) took delivery of their first two series production Su-34 advanced long-range bomber aircraft from Sukhoi’s OKB Novosibirsk factory on December 15th. These aircraft were marked with numbers 49 and 48 were delivered to the 4th Combat and Conversion Training Centre in Lipetsk. Starting next year (2007) and continuing to 2015 the RMAF will take possession of a large number of these Su-34 bombers. It is thought that these will replace the 1980’s era Su-24 ‘Fencer’ fleet. Russian air units are organized in Regiments (roughly the same concept as a USAF or RAF ‘Wing’) and it is planned that the RMAF will have as many as 58 fully operational Su-34s by 2015 equipping two or three dedicated bomber regiments. In preproduction since 1994, the Su-34 was successfully tested in the Chechnya in 1999 with live ordinance. It has also set a number of world records for flight altitude and payload capabilities. The Su-34 can be compared to (and by some is seen as superior to) the US F-15E Strike Eagle, possibly the world’s most perfect multi-role tactical strike aircraft in current squadron use. It carries the NATO designation “Fullback”. The RMAF also plans to use the same basic aircraft for a series of electronic warfare aircraft.

Maybe most important of all, The Russian aircraft costs some $50 million apiece. While this is a huge sum for Russia however when compared with the newest Western aircraft like the F22 ($200 million) and Eurofighter Typhoon ($90 million), it still seems like a bargain. Export may well be in its future.

While the old soviet air force may be gone, the new RMAF still has a few tricks up its sleeve.