The United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), a subsidiary of Russian state-owned defense conglomerate Rostec, has delivered a new batch of Su-57 Felon and Su-34 Fullback combat aircraft to the Russian Ministry of Defense.
“The Su-57 and Su-34 aircraft transferred today will soon take their place in the ranks,” Rostec CEO Sergei Chemezov said in a statement released on Telegram.
Rostec CEO Sergei Chemezov praised the aircraft’s advanced capabilities, describing the Su-34 as a frontline bomber with exceptional tactical, technical, and combat features.
He also hailed the Su-57 as the “king of the sky,” highlighting it as the most sophisticated machine in the operational-tactical aircraft category.
The Su-57, a fifth-generation fighter aircraft, is designed to execute a wide array of combat missions. Its versatility allows it to target air, ground, and sea threats, operating day or night in challenging weather conditions and environments with heavy electronic warfare interference.
The Su-34, on the other hand, is a fighter-bomber capable of destroying both ground and air targets. It can engage targets at long distances, overcoming enemy fire and jamming efforts, and is equally effective in any weather or geographical theater of operations.
While the exact number of Su-57 aircraft delivered remains unspecified by UAC, video footage accompanying the release suggests one unit was included in this batch. This marks the third known delivery of Su-57s in 2024, following previous shipments in September and November.
The ongoing production of this fighter indicates a steady expansion of Russia’s aerial capabilities, as the Su-57 is a cornerstone of its future combat readiness.
In comparison to the Su-57, the Su-34 aircraft have seen more frequent deliveries. This latest transfer marks the sixth batch of Su-34 aircraft delivered to the Russian Ministry of Defense in 2024.
The exact number of aircraft in this batch has not been disclosed, but accompanying media indicates that at least one unit was included in the delivery.
Overall, it is estimated that Russia has received between 12 and 14 new Su-34 NVO strike fighters in 2024, with the actual number potentially being higher, according to defense expert Guy Plopsky.
Russia Strives to Overcome Production Challenges
Vadim Badekha, head of the UAC, said, “The Su-57 and Su-34 are among the best in their class. They address critical tasks while showcasing superior maneuverability and combat performance.”
He added that their production teams remain dedicated to meeting the state defense order while prioritizing improvements in wages and the expansion of corporate social programs.
The new deliveries come at a time when Russia is grappling with the task of rebuilding its air fleet. Since the onset of the invasion of Ukraine, Russia has suffered the loss of at least 134 military aircraft, as reported by the open-source intelligence group Oryx.
This includes 36 Su-34 strike fighters and one Su-34M. In a notable incident, a Su-57 was reportedly destroyed in a Ukrainian drone attack targeting the Akhtubinsk airbase.
Moreover, Western sanctions have severely hindered Moscow’s ability to source vital components, forcing it to rely on shell companies and Chinese suppliers.
The Russian defense units, including Rostec, UAC, and the Komsomolsk-on-Amur plant, is under heavy sanctions imposed by the United States, European Union, Ukraine, and other countries.
Despite these challenges, Russia has been ramping up its efforts to upgrade production facilities. For example, a new production plant dedicated to the Su-57 fifth-generation fighter was inaugurated in August 2024. This facility aims to accelerate the pace of production and address earlier bottlenecks in aircraft delivery.
Currently, Russia possesses only a small number of Su-57s. A contract for 76 aircraft by 2027 was signed in June 2019, with the Komsomolsk-on-Amur plant designated as the primary production site.
However, the plant quickly proved to be too small and ill-equipped to meet the demands of production, resulting in constant delays and hindering the timely delivery of the aircraft.
As a result, the Air Force has received only about one-third of the planned deliveries under this contract. That said, Russia continues to refine the Su-57’s design and enhance its capabilities.
In early December, a new image emerged showcasing the Su-57 Felon equipped with a redesigned thrust-vectoring engine nozzle.
This modification brings notable benefits, particularly by improving the aircraft’s low observability from the rear, a critical improvement to address a weakness in the original design, which primarily focused on stealth from the front.
While the updated nozzles result in a slight reduction in thrust output, this trade-off is deemed acceptable, as the improved stealth capabilities are considered vital for the Su-57’s effectiveness in contested airspace.
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