13:20 02-09-2025

Su-34 Ranked Among Russia’s Most Important Combat Jets

© Минобороны России / t.me/mod_russia

Military Watch Magazine highlights the Su-34 as Russia’s most vital post-Soviet combat jet, combining range, payload and modern upgrades for long-term service.

Analysts from the U.S.-based Military Watch Magazine have ranked the Russian Su-34 among the country’s most important combat aircraft. They emphasized that the jet combines the strike capabilities of the Su-24M bomber with technologies developed for the Su-27 fighter, making it a fitting replacement for outdated Soviet-era models.

According to the publication, the Su-34 has become arguably the most significant type of fighter aircraft designed in Russia since the collapse of the Soviet Union, rivaled only by the fifth-generation Su-57.

Russia’s Aerospace Forces currently operate more than 200 Su-34s, while the number of Su-57s remains below 40. The Su-34 also holds the longest flight range among aircraft of its class, a feature that, in the magazine’s view, gives it a unique edge in modern military conflicts.

The jet’s heavy payload capacity allows it to carry not only a large stock of bombs and missiles but also oversized munitions such as Kh-47M2 ballistic missiles and FAB-3000 glide bombs, both of which have undergone combat testing in Ukraine.

In recent years, the Su-34 has been upgraded with multifunctional Sych reconnaissance pods, designed for electronic, radar, and optical surveillance. These systems enable real-time intelligence gathering without diminishing the aircraft’s strike power.

The analysts predict that the Su-34 will remain in service longer than other fourth-generation aircraft and continue to be produced at least through the late 2030s. They argue that its design and mission profile set it apart from other combat jets of the 21st century. In their assessment, the Su-34’s numbers and capabilities make it a strong contender alongside the MiG-31 for the title of Russia’s most indispensable combat aircraft, eclipsing the significance once held by the Su-27, Su-30, and Su-35.