The state testing of Su-34 bomber has been completed by the air forces of Russia, Lenta.ru reports.

According to a source in Russian aircraft industry, there are guidelines for putting Su-34 into service in the act, signed by the commander in Chief of the Russian air forces, Alexander Zelin, following the results of Su-34’s state testing. It is expected that the Governmental decree on putting the bombers into service will be issued in 2012; at present all the necessary documents are being prepared.

Zelin declared in the middle of August 2011 that the Russian air forces intend to acquire 120 Su-34 bombers, 5 squadrons will be formed using the aircraft, 24 jets each. The acquisition of bombers will be carried out stepwise: in particular, the air forces will acquire 6 new jets in 2011 and 12 – in 2012. The Novosibirsk aviation association named after Chkalov will carry out the deliveries of the bombers. The Russian air forces have ordered 32 Su-34s yet, but it is planned to acquire 70 jets of the type by 2015.

The acquisition of Su-34 is being implemented in the network of state program in the area of arms for 2011-2020. Its scope of financing is 20 trillion rubles. Su-34 should form the basis of Russian frontline bomber aviation. The jet has a maximum flight speed of 1,900 km/h and combat radius of 1100 km. Su-34 has 12 stations with a total permissible weight of 8 tons.

It has been reported earlier that a modernized version of Su-34 will be delivered to the Russian air forces since 2011. The jets will be equipped with modernized AL-31FM1 engines and auxiliary TA14-130-35 gas turbine power plants, which allows starting the engines without using any additional ground equipment. The modernized Su-34s will also be equipped with new air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles.