Su-34 to get state-of-the-art overhaul

The next few years will see the further modernization of the Su-34, a Russian strike fighter; the warplane will get new armament and electronic warfare systems, according to the Russian news network Zvezda.

The Russian Defense Ministry first announced plans to modernize the Sukhoi Su-34 multipurpose strike fighter, designated by NATO as Hellduck, in July 2016, Zvezda recalled. Based on the Su-27 fighter, the Su-34 is a 4++ generation jet, which can accelerate to a maximum speed of 1,200 mph (1,931 km) and can fly 2,500 miles (4,023 km) without refueling. “Our plan is, after some time, to upgrade this aircraft to extend its life and increase the number of aircraft weapons.

The plane is very popular in our armed forces, and it has a good future,” Russian Deputy Defense Minister Yury Borisov said, referring to the Su-34. During the Syrian campaign, the Su-34 made effective use of its onboard arsenal of a 30 mm cannon, air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles and KAB-500S laser-guided bombs, allowing it to destroy terrorist infrastructure facilities and command centers.

The Defense Ministry now wants to add to this from its impressive arsenal of anti-ship missiles, such as the modified Kh-35 missile and even plans to adapt the Su-34 to launch a new generation of so-called aeroballistic missiles. Late last year, the Su-34 fighter was equipped with a Khibiny aircr

Read more: https://sputniknews.com