New Batch of Su-34 Fighter-Bombers, Tornado MLRS Handed over to Russian Aerospace Force

A new batch of Su-34 fighter-bombers has been handed over the Russian Aerospace Force (RuAF) amidst reports that some 17 such jets have been shot down in Ukraine.

The Su-34 jets were manufactured at Novosibirsk Aviation Plant. V.P. Chkalov United Aircraft Corporation (UAC).

“The Su-34 is a unique machine with high flight performance, which has proven itself well in the course of real combat operations,” said Denis Manturov, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation.

The Su-34 front-line bomber will form the basis of the strike power of the Russian front-line aviation. The combat capabilities of the modernized Su-34 make it possible to use advanced aircraft that increase the range of destruction of ground and surface targets and expand the conditions and accuracy of bombing, Rostec said in a statement.

On October 21, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on the establishment of a Coordinating Council under the government to meet the needs arising in the course of a special military operation. This decision was made to strengthen the coordination of the activities of federal and regional authorities. The Coordinating Council was headed by Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Mikhail Mishustin. His deputies in this position were Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov and Deputy Prime Minister - Head of the Government Staff Dmitry Grigorenko.

“We understand the importance of our work to provide the Russian armed forces with the necessary aviation equipment and will continue to fulfill all our obligations. By the end of this year, the Russian Aerospace Forces will receive the next aircraft, which are currently in production,” said Yury Slyusar, Director General of UAC.

Tornado MLRS

The military division of Motovilikhinskiye Zavody PJSC, Special Design Bureau CJSC, as part of the state defense order, sent Tornado-G and Tornado-S combat vehicles to units of the Russian Ministry of Defense.

The 122-mm Tornado-G MLRS is designed to destroy artillery and mortar batteries, air defense units, rear facilities, enemy motorized infantry units in concentration areas. The combat vehicle is equipped with an automated guidance and fire control system. The 300-mm Tornado-C system is a deep modernization of the Smerch combat vehicle. Designed to destroy group targets, tactical missiles, anti-aircraft systems, military-industrial infrastructure on the distant approaches.

“Contractual obligations for the shipment of modern combat vehicles Tornado-G and Tornado-S have been fulfilled in full and on time. Due to the high production load at a number of sites, employees work in three shifts. At the same time, the enterprise intensified work on creating new jobs, raising wages and technical re-equipment. The timely dispatch of military equipment within the framework of the state defense order is a priority task for our enterprise,” said Sergey Dyadkin, director of CJSC SKB.