The Russian aircraft manufacturing firm Sukhoi announced on the 9^th January that it has put its Su-34 Fullback design into full production. According to a spokesman for the firm, as many as 20 aircraft could be piece together simultaneously at the Siberian-based Novosibirsk Aviation Production Association aircraft plant. He did not elaborate, however, on the exact number of Su-34s that would be manufactured on an annual basis.

Su-34's First Flight Took Place in 1990

A fighter-bomber, the Su-34 is a strike aircraft developed from the Su-27 Flanker. While its first flight occurred in 1990, financial limitations effectively delayed its further development. Unlike the single seat Su-27, the Su-34 is capable of accommodating two crew members. Its maximum speed is Mach 1.6.

While, for nearly 15 years, the Su-34 existed in the form of a few prototypes, in 2004, Sukhoi stated their intention to begin limited production.

Now, the plan is that 24 Su-34s will enter Russian Air Force service by 2010, with the full complement of 58 aircraft to be operational five years later.

The new aircraft will replace an older Sukhoi design - the swing-wing Su-24 Fencer.

Sukhoi's Strike Aircraft a World-Class Design, Say Experts

In the opinion of industry experts, the Su-34 could potentially top its class well into the 21^st century.

Conceived to deliver strike attacks with a high level of precision by day or by night, and uninhibited by weather, the Su-34 is armed with up to 12 Archer or Alamo air-to-air missiles, air-to-surface missiles, bombs and a 30 millimetre GSh-301 cannon.

Putin: Substantial Rearmament for Armed Forces

Towards the end of 2007, Russian President Vladimir Putin pledged to substantially modernise the armed forces. Emphasis will be placed on the "nuclear trio", he said - namely, strategic bombers, nuclear submarines and intercontinental ballistic missiles.

Additionally, a fifth generation combat jet fighter is scheduled to be developed by 2015.

"Our armed forces will be compact and very efficient, and they will guarantee this country's security for years to come", he stated.

Source - Armed Forces International's Aviation Expert

Other recent Russian military News Items:

Russia Suspends Itself from NATO Arms Treaty

Russian Navy Ships Deployed to Mediterranean Sea

Russian Air Force: 70+ Patrol Flights Since August '07

President Putin Pledges to Modernise Russian Military