The Russian Aerospace Forces can use the Su-34 multirole aircraft (NATO codification Fullback, "defender") as a fighter to gain air superiority, but it is more often used as a tactical bomber. This was written in the article "Russia is betting big on the Su-34 fighter-bomber" for The National Interest by Brandon J. Weichert, a former U.S. Congress employee and geopolitical analyst.
Although the Su-34 can be used as an air superiority fighter, it has most often been used as a tactical bomber. This was its main role in the Russian mission to support Bashar al-Assad's army in Syria. Now the Su-34 is also mainly used as a bomber
Brandon J. Weichert attributed the presence of two Saturn AL-35F engines providing good thrust to the advantages of the Su-34. He emphasized that the aircraft moves at a speed of Mach 1.5 (or about 1180 miles per hour).
The author added that the fighter-bomber received a 30-mm single-barrel GSh-301 cannon, which produces up to 1800 rounds per minute. In addition, the Su-34 carries R-27R, R-73 and R-77 air-to-air missiles, as well as Kh-29L air-to-surface ammunition, Kh-31A/AD anti-ship missiles and P-800 Onyx.
Disadvantages of the Su-34, as pointed out by The National Interest
According to Weichert, Patriot missile batteries and NASAMS air defense systems (mobile ground-based anti-aircraft missile system) can be used against Russian military aircraft.
Since the Su-34 and other Russian aircraft operate in smaller groups when performing tactical bombing, the likelihood of them being destroyed by these systems is higher than if they operated in larger groups.
The publication cites the opinion of another expert, Stavros Atlamazoglou. According to him, the Su-34s fly in small groups due to the Russian military doctrine. According to the military planning document, the Russian Air Force is not intended for large-scale air operations, Atlamazoglou claims.
Read more on the topic:
The Ministry of Defense received the first batch of Su-34s in 2024
Journalists at The Military Watch admired the Su-34 with gliding bombs