Russia is going to support its air operations force. “Last week, a contract was signed between the Defence Ministry and the Sukhoi Aircraft Company on building about 20 Sukhoi Su-34 bombers,” a source said to TASS. The deal covers a nearly three-year period. The source added that the signing of the procure contract for the Su-34M platform, which has modernised systems, is on the agenda in 2021.

The Su-34, which has a maximum take-off weight of 45,100 kilograms, can be equipped with missiles such as long-range air-to-air sales, air-to-air and anti-ship. With the increase in the departure weight of the platform, which has a useful load capacity of 8,000 kilograms, the capacity of the internal fuel tanks has been increased. 

At the end of May, Moscow had reached an agreement with United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) to supply the Sukhoi Su-34, which has 76 modernized systems. The delivery process of two-seat and twin-engine warplanes is scheduled to take until 2027.

Sukhoi is one of UAC holding companies.