Russian Air Force Continues to Receive Su-34 Bombers

The Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) have received a new batch of Su-34 bombers, as announced by Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) on September 2.

The Sukhoi Su-34 is a Russian tactical bomber designed to strike ground, sea, and air targets, including those protected by air defense systems. It can operate at long ranges from its base and perform missions under enemy fire, day and night, and in all weather conditions.

Equipped with guided and unguided weapons, the Su-34 can also perform aerial reconnaissance missions. The recently delivered Su-34s have exceptional flight performance and are extremely effective in striking enemy targets. These aircraft are capable of deploying high-precision munitions with a universal planning and correction module.

The Su-34 has a crew of two and is powered by two Lyulka AL-35F turbofan engines, allowing the aircraft to reach a maximum speed of 1,900 km/h and a service ceiling of 17,000 m. In terms of dimensions, the aircraft is 23.34 m long, has a wingspan of 14.70 m, and a height of 6.36 m. With an empty weight of 20 tons, the Su-34 can reach a maximum weight of 45 tons when carrying a payload.

The Su-34 can carry a variety of air-to-ground weapons, including guided bombs such as the KAB-500, KAB-1500, as well as air-to-ground missiles like the Kh-29, Kh-31, and Kh-59. For air combat, the aircraft can be equipped with R-73 and R-77 missiles. The Su-34 is also equipped with a 30mm GSh-30-1 automatic cannon for close-range combat. With a range of 2,000km, the aircraft can engage targets at long distances while still being able to operate in harsh environments.

Azerbaijan Enhances Air Combat Capabilities with Turkish Missiles

The Azerbaijani Air Force plans to enhance its air combat capabilities by purchasing Turkish Bozdogan and Gokdogan missiles for integration into the JF-17-C Block III Thunder fighter jets.

This decision marks a significant step forward in military cooperation between Türkiye and Azerbaijan. In addition to these advanced air-to-air missiles, Azerbaijani fighter jets will also be equipped with sophisticated Turkish avionics, further improving their operational efficiency.

Bozdogan (Merlin) and Gokdogan (Peregrine) missiles, developed by the Turkish National Scientific Research Institute Tubitak-SAGE, are designed to provide higher accuracy through infrared guidance systems. With a length of about 3m and equipped with a solid-fuel rocket motor, Bozdogan can approach targets within a radius of 25km, creating significant damage with its fragmentation warhead.