A few days ago 6 new Su-34 fighter-bombers joined the fleet of a separate aviation regiment of the Southern Military District based in Rostov Region, press-service of Russian Ministry of Defense reports.

«The flight crews performed nonstop flight from the airfield of Novosibirsk-based aviation plant covering a distance of over 4000 km. Su-34 is the 4+-generation multi-role fighter-bomber. The jet’s range is 4000 km, maximum flight speed – 1900 km/h. The aircraft are fitted with the latest weapon control system. Su-34 is also fitted with 30-mm cannon and its payload was increased to 8 tons. The jet may be equipped with external fuel tanks allowing it to cover longer distance close to the range of strategic bombers», - the press-service explained. 

Earlier the acceptance of these jets has been completed by the specialists of the regiment’s engineering and technical services, who checked the functionality of all the aircraft systems.

In late October pilots of the regiment will start performing practice flights focused on using Su-34’s weapons to hit air and ground targets. Special attention will be paid to aerial refueling.

In the near-term around 40 state-of-the-art aircraft will be delivered to Russian air forces and units of Air Defense Forces of the Southern Military District, including Su-27SM3 upgraded fighters and Mi-35 attack helicopters, the ministry added.