Summary: The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense reports that 11 Russian Su-34 Fullback fighter bombers have been shot down in recent weeks, amounting to nearly $1 billion in losses for Russia. These setbacks are partly due to the absence of A-50 airborne radar support, making the Su-34s vulnerable in Ukrainian airspace. The Russian Aerospace Forces face challenges from both air defenses, including advanced Western systems like the MIM-104 Patriot and NASAMS, and ground attacks on airfields. To mitigate losses, Russia could adjust tactics and improve airbase security, but limitations in range and increased Ukrainian capabilities pose ongoing threats to their Su-34 fleet.
In just a few days of fighting, the Russian military has lost several Su-34 fighter bombers from Ukrainian fire.
According to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, Ukrainian forces have shot down 11 Su-34 Fullback jets in just the past few weeks. Footage circulating social media supports many of the kills. Each Su-34 Fullback costs up to $85 million, so the Kremlin has lost almost $1 billion worth of aircraft in just a few weeks.
A main reason behind the Russian losses is the lack of A-50 airborne radar aircraft to support the Su-34 Fullbacks. The Ukrainians have destroyed several Russian A-50s lately, thus turning fighter and bomber jets essentially blind over Ukrainian airspace.
However, the Russian Su-34s face a dual problem.
To begin with, the Russians need to worry about two different sorts of attacks: air and ground.
The Russian Aerospace Forces have lost aircraft both in the air by Ukrainian fighter jets or air defense systems and on the ground by Ukrainian sabotage, suicide drones, missiles, and special operations raids.
When it comes to losses in the air, the Russian Aerospace Forces are reaping what their country sowed. The Ukrainian military is vastly better equipped than two years ago when the war began. In terms of air defenses, the Ukrainian Air Force now relies on a plethora of modern Western weapon systems, including the MIM-104 Patriot, IRIS-T, and National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS). Russian aircraft and munitions can now be intercepted with reliability at large distances.
The only solution for the Russian Su-34 Fullbacks would be to release their stand-off munitions even further from their targets in an attempt to stay out of the Ukrainian air defense umbrella. But that is also a temporary solution as the Ukrainian Air Force will soon be fielding F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets that could easily intercept the Russian tactical bombing jets.
When it comes to ground attacks against airfields in Crimea or Russia, the Russian military is falling short. Instead of increasing security around the air bases, the Russians are moving important aircraft further to the East to ensure that they are out of range of the Ukrainian munitions and suicide drones. Although that can work with aircraft like strategic bombers that have longer ranges, it doesn’t work the same with fighter jets like the Su-34 Fullback, that has a more limited range.
In sum, to protect their Su-34 Fullback fleet, the Russians can design their missions better, releasing munitions at larger distances and increasing security around their air bases.
The Su-34 Fullback is a twin-engine, twin-seat fighter bomber jet that can operate in all weather conditions and conduct fighter, bomber, and strike missions.
The aircraft has 12 external hardpoints that can carry up to 30,000 lbs of munitions.
The aircraft can reach speeds of almost Mach 2 (or 1,500 miles per hour), has an operational range of 2,500 miles, which can be further extended with aerial refueling.
The Su-34 entered service in 2014 and over 150 aircraft have been produced.
Stavros Atlamazoglou is a seasoned defense journalist specializing in special operations and a Hellenic Army veteran (national service with the 575th Marine Battalion and Army HQ). He holds a BA from Johns Hopkins University and an MA from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). His work has been featured in Business Insider, Sandboxx, and SOFREP. Email the author: [email protected].
Russia's Su-34 Warplane Nightmare Is Just Getting Started
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05.03.2024
Summary: The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense reports that 11 Russian Su-34 Fullback fighter bombers have been shot down in recent weeks, amounting to nearly $1 billion in losses for Russia. These setbacks are partly due to the absence of A-50 airborne radar support, making the Su-34s vulnerable in Ukrainian airspace. The Russian Aerospace Forces face challenges from both air defenses, including advanced Western systems like the MIM-104 Patriot and NASAMS, and ground attacks on airfields. To mitigate losses, Russia could adjust tactics and improve airbase security, but limitations in range and increased Ukrainian capabilities pose ongoing threats to their Su-34 fleet.
In just a few days of fighting, the Russian military has lost several Su-34 fighter bombers from Ukrainian fire.
According to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, Ukrainian forces have shot down 11 Su-34 Fullback jets in just the past few weeks. Footage circulating social media supports many of the kills. Each Su-34 Fullback costs up to $85 million, so the Kremlin has lost almost $1........
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