The Russian Aerospace Forces have up to 50 new 4th generation Su-34 bombers with the letter “M” in service. This assessment, citing specialized foreign studies, was provided by the publication “Tekhnosfera Rossiya”.
In total, the military has up to 140 aircraft of the entire Su-34 series, foreign researchers estimated.
We emphasize that these calculations have not been officially confirmed by Russian official sources. The number of aircraft in the Aerospace Forces is not disclosed.
The Su-34M is also referred to as the Su-34 NVO in some reference books. It indeed differs significantly from the basic version with modernized onboard electronic equipment and the ability to use suspended reconnaissance containers as part of the “Sych” R&D project.
Moreover, the bomber allegedly can even use Kh-47M2 “Kinzhal” missiles, military correspondent Alexander Kots claimed. There has been no official confirmation of his words yet.
A retired pilot and author of the Fighterbomber Telegram channel noted that the Chkalov Aviation Plant switched to a three-shift schedule for the production of the Su-34.