Su-34 as Russia’s Effort to Maximize Versatility
Russia, June 3, 2025 – The Russian Federation has long faced the dilemma of how to effectively replace aging aircraft without wasting limited budgetary and industrial capacities. In this context, the Su-34 was created, a tactical bomber developed as a successor to the Su-24, but also the Su-25. Its main task was to cover the widest possible range of missions – from close air support to deep strikes in the enemy’s operational territory. In contrast to the Western practice of consistent specialization, the Russian concept often tends towards universal solutions that are intended to ensure self-sufficiency in conflicts of varying intensity.
The Su-34 aircraft represents an attempt to create a “jack of all trades” within the Russian Air Force – an aircraft that would replace not only tactical bombers, fighters, but also partially the role of front-line fighters. This approach was intended to reduce development and logistics costs, increase operational flexibility, and enable Russia to maintain a modern air force even under economic sanctions and a technology embargo. The key motive was the ability to conduct independent operations in relatively remote areas without the need for comprehensive escort. At the same time, the Su-34 was intended to become a symbol of a generational change in Russian military doctrine, combining the Soviet concept of a “deep strike force” with modern requirements for accuracy, survivability in the environment of enemy air defenses, and interoperability within joint operations. It is this combination of goals that makes it an interesting case of technical-operational compromise.
Development of the Su-34
Development of the Su-34 (originally the Su-27IB) began in the late 1980s as an adaptation of the proven Su-27 platform to the role of a long-range tactical bomber. The aircraft retained the basic aerodynamic features of the Su-27 fighter, but underwent major modifications – the cabin was redesigned for a two-man crew sitting side by side, strong frontal armor, modern navigation and strike avionics and a large internal fuel capacity were added. The aircraft thus gained not only a significant range (up to 1,100 km with full combat load), but also a high degree of autonomy and durability. However, problems arose in the transitional phase of production: the economic crisis of the 1990s slowed down the project, and serial production did not start until after 2006 at the Novosibirsk Aviation Plant (NAPO). The first aircraft were introduced into the VKS armament very slowly, and only after 2015 did the Su-34 begin to appear in larger numbers. Technical complications, production capacities and a shortage of key components complicated the ambition to become a new standard for the Russian front-line air force. Despite these difficulties, the Russian command decided to continue with the project. The Su-34 was to become a backbone aircraft in the tactical bombing role and was to be able to operate independently, without the need for escort fighters, thanks to its own electronic warfare capabilities and the ability to carry medium-range air-to-air missiles.
Su-34M: Modernization under the pressure of reality
Due to the rapidly changing requirements of the modern battlefield and increasing losses, the Russian Ministry of Defense launched a deep modernization project for this platform in 2020, known as the Su-34M. From the outside, the Su-34M does not look significantly different, but inside, radical changes have occurred. The machine is equipped with a new generation of avionics, including a modernized Sh141M radar complex, expanded with a rear radar for tracking threats from behind. A key feature is the compatibility system with the UKR-RT (radio-electronic reconnaissance) and UKR-OE (optical-electronic reconnaissance) modules, thanks to which the Su-34M can independently carry out reconnaissance, targeting and jamming missions without the need for specialized aircraft. The aircraft also carries a new datalink system for combat network integration, which is an attempt to approach the concept of “network-centric warfare”, which Russia otherwise develops with difficulty.
The modernization reflects the lessons learned from the Ukrainian battlefield – among other things, the increased need to operate from a greater distance and reduce the aircraft’s exposure to mobile air defense systems of the enemy. The Su-34M therefore has an expanded arsenal with new versions of precision-guided munitions, including weapons guided by GLONASS and new versions of the Kh-59MK2 missiles or the planned Grom-E2 missiles with a longer range. The upgraded aircraft should also be able to perform the so-called stand-off munitions role, i.e. destroying targets beyond the range of defense, which the original Su-34 version was only able to do to a limited extent. The first serially upgraded Su-34Ms were delivered at the end of 2022, and additional aircraft are being added under the contract, totaling about 80 upgrades by 2027. Some aircraft are newly manufactured in this configuration, while others are being retrofitted at the Novosibirsk plant. Although the scope of the changes does not correspond to a complete generational replacement, it is the most profound upgrade of the Russian tactical bomber since its introduction. The Su-34M is to be Russia’s key tool for conducting deep strikes into the Ukrainian rear and one of the few aircraft capable of surviving in increasingly dangerous airspace.
Design versatility and armament
The Su-34 is designed as a multi-role combat aircraft with an emphasis on strike capabilities against ground targets, while maintaining basic defensive capabilities against enemy aircraft. Thanks to its architecture and avionics, it is capable of conducting precision bombing attacks, destroying targets using guided and unguided weapons, conducting reconnaissance and conducting electronic warfare. In addition to conventional armament – such as FAB-500 bombs, Kh-29, Kh-59 or Kh-31 missiles – it can also carry cruise missiles (e.g. Kh-101) and R-73 or R-77 air-to-air missiles for self-defense. A key feature is its ability to carry up to 12,000 kg of armament on twelve pylons. The aircraft features a modern Sh141 radar system, which is optimized for detecting ground and sea targets, including the ability to operate in SAR (synthetic aperture) mode for terrain mapping. An armoured cabin and active REB (radio-electronic warfare) system increase survivability during operations in difficult combat environments. However, the Su-34’s versatility is not without compromise. Although it can replace some of the functions of fighters and reconnaissance platforms, it does not excel in any of these roles. For example, in the air combat role it is slower, less maneuverable and more conspicuous than specialized fighters. In the electronic warfare role, it cannot match Western specialized aircraft such as the EA-18G Growler. In any case, it is an aircraft that provides Russian forces with flexibility in conflicts with limited access to air supremacy.
Operational Deployment: From Syria to Donbas
The first real combat deployment of the Su-34 took place in 2015 in Syria, where the aircraft proved to be a capable platform for precision strikes against ground targets as part of the Russian intervention. Thanks to its long range and ability to carry a variety of weapons, the Su-34 could operate from Russian bases and strike targets across Syria without the need for in-flight refueling. The presence of armor and defense systems also increased the chance of survival when flying near areas controlled by enemy forces. However, the deployment of the Su-34 during the invasion of Ukraine from 2022 also revealed the weaknesses of the concept. The aircraft was often used to strike beyond the reach of the Ukrainian air defense, mainly using unguided bombs supplemented with an UMPK-type planning module (the Russian equivalent of the JDAM). However, when attempting to operate deep inside enemy territory, the Su-34 suffered significant losses – not only due to strong air defenses, but also due to the lack of advanced stealth protection and limited maneuverability. A significant number of aircraft were lost due to modern air defense systems (e.g. NASAMS, IRIS-T, Patriot), but also due to its own coordination and vulnerability when flying at low altitudes. Despite these losses, the Su-34 remains one of the main pillars of the Russian tactical aviation, thanks to the continued deliveries of new aircraft and modernized variants.
Limits and contradictions of universality
Although the Su-34 was developed as a multi-role aircraft, in practice it has been shown that the combination of roles does not always lead to an effective result. The aircraft is in a certain “operational vacuum” – it is not as fast and maneuverable as fighters, but at the same time it lacks the strategic bombing capabilities of the Tu-22M3 or Tu-95. It is effective as a tactical bomber, but its size and price make it too valuable a target for use in high-risk areas without protection. Then there is the issue of technological sustainability. The Su-34 is not a stealth aircraft and lacks some of the network-centric warfare features that are crucial for modern high-intensity conflicts. In addition, it is logistically demanding, expensive to operate, and Russia’s production capacity is limited – meaning that it cannot be quickly replaced in the event of losses. This problem is particularly evident in the war in Ukraine, where it has been shown that quantity cannot compensate for quality in the long term. Furthermore, the question arises whether universality is not simply a compromise between ambition and reality. Western air forces tend to rely on a combination of specialized platforms and a single type (e.g. the F-35). However, Russia is trying to universalize due to lack of resources – and thus forcing its machines to “do everything”, although not always perfectly.
Future Perspective: Modernization and Challenges
Russia is continuously working on modernizations of the Su-34, which are intended to increase its combat capabilities and extend its service life. These include improvements to its avionics, integration of new types of more accurate weapons, improvements to its electronic warfare systems, and the ability to connect with other branches of the military within modern tactical networks. There are also plans to develop variants with improved fuel efficiency and possibly new engines that could increase range and performance. However, these efforts face several fundamental limitations. Economic sanctions and limited access to advanced technologies complicate the development and production of sophisticated systems that would keep the Su-34 competitive with Western aircraft. The growing pressure of modern air defense systems is also forcing Russia to reconsider the tactics of using this aircraft, as even the modernized Su-34 remains relatively vulnerable in a sophisticated air defense environment. In the future, it can be expected that the Su-34 will remain a key part of the Russian Air Force as a tactical strike aircraft, but it will probably be supplemented and gradually partially replaced by new platforms that will place greater emphasis on stealth characteristics, network integration and specialization. Developmentally, the Su-34 therefore stands on the border between the older concept of a “jack of all trades” and a modern approach to multidimensional warfare.
Erik Simon
