Rostec's UAC delivers batch of Su-34 fighter-bombers to Russian military
In short
United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), part of state corporation Rostec, has built and handed over a batch of Su-34 fighter-bombers to Russia's Defence Ministry, according to TASS, RIA Novosti, RBC and Vedomosti. RBC reported the aircraft were made under the state defence order; Vedomosti, citing Rostec, said they passed factory ground and flight tests and left for their place of service. The documents do not say how many aircraft were in the batch.
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United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), which is part of the state corporation Rostec, has built and handed over a batch of Su-34 fighter-bombers to Russia's Defence Ministry, according to TASS, RIA Novosti, RBC and Vedomosti. RBC reported that the aircraft were manufactured under the state defence order. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Vedomosti, citing Rostec, said the aircraft had passed the required ground and flight factory tests and had left for their place of service. The state corporation described the Su-34 as versatile, able to engage ground, surface and air targets, and able to fly in difficult weather conditions and against air defence countermeasures. [ 4 ]
TASS quoted a Su-34 crew commander on the aircraft's strike roles, which he said include operations in complex weather and under active air defence resistance. According to Vedomosti, the same commander said the large capacity of the internal fuel tanks and economical engines allow flights of up to 10 hours without loss of crew performance. Rostec said the aircraft's design continues to be refined in light of its combat use experience, and that new batches are already in production. [ 1 , 4 ]
Vedomosti also recalled earlier deliveries this year: on 9 July, UAC built and supplied the Defence Ministry with batches of Su-30SM2 and Su-34 aircraft, which had completed the full cycle of ground and flight factory tests; in May, UAC handed the Air and Space Forces a new batch of Su-35S fighters, with pilots testing them in several operating modes before flying them to their home airfield. [ 4 ]
The four documents do not state how many aircraft were in the latest batch. TASS and RIA Novosti refer to the recipient as the Defence Ministry, while Vedomosti says Rostec handed the batch to the Air and Space Forces (VKS). RIA Novosti's report consists of a headline only. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Why it matters
The handover points to continued output of strike aircraft under Russia's state defence order, with Vedomosti reporting, citing Rostec, that new batches are already in production. How much the delivery changes the picture is not something the documents address; they give no figures, no unit and no location.
Key facts
- UAC, part of Rostec, said it built and handed over a batch of Su-34 fighter-bombers to Russia's Defence Ministry, according to four outlets. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- RBC reported the aircraft were manufactured under the state defence order. [ 3 ]
- Vedomosti, citing Rostec, said the aircraft passed the required ground and flight factory tests and went to their place of service. [ 4 ]
- TASS and Vedomosti reported the Su-34 can strike ground, surface and air targets, including in difficult weather and against air defence countermeasures. [ 1 , 4 ]
- A Su-34 crew commander said large internal fuel tanks and economical engines allow flights of up to 10 hours without loss of crew performance, Vedomosti reported. [ 4 ]
- Rostec said the aircraft's design continues to be refined based on combat use experience, and that new batches are already in production, according to Vedomosti. [ 4 ]
- Vedomosti reported earlier deliveries this year: batches of Su-30SM2 and Su-34 aircraft on 9 July, and a batch of Su-35S fighters in May. [ 4 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- UAC, which is part of Rostec, built and handed over a batch of Su-34 fighter-bombers to Russia's military, with TASS and RIA Novosti referring to the Defence Ministry and Vedomosti to the Air and Space Forces. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- The Su-34 is described as able to hit ground, surface and air targets, including in difficult weather conditions and against air defence countermeasures. [ 1 , 4 ]
Still unclear
- How many aircraft were in the batch, and which unit or airfield they were sent to. None of the four documents gives a number, a unit or a location.
- The exact recipient of the aircraft. TASS and RIA Novosti say the Defence Ministry received them, while Vedomosti says Rostec handed the batch to the Air and Space Forces (VKS).
- What combat use experience Rostec is referring to when it says the Su-34 design is being refined, and where the aircraft are used. Vedomosti mentions combat use experience in Rostec's account but gives no details; no other document addresses it.
- The full content of RIA Novosti's report. The document carries only a headline, with no article text or feed summary.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- TASS reports that UAC handed the Defence Ministry a batch of Su-34 aircraft, with a crew commander describing its strike capabilities. [ 1 ]
- RIA Novosti reports the Defence Ministry received a batch of Su-34 fighter-bombers from Rostec. [ 2 ]
- RBC reports UAC manufactured and handed over the Su-34 batch under the state defence order. [ 3 ]
- Vedomosti reports Rostec handed the VKS a batch of Su-34s that passed factory tests and left for their place of service, adding that new batches are in production. [ 4 ]