Russian Su-34 'flying tank' equipped with advanced missiles and radar.

The Russian Ministry of Defense will modernize the Su-34 multirole fighter-bomber with a range of advanced weapons over the next five years.

A Su-34 aircraft equipped with modern weapons such as Kh-31 and Kh-59 missiles. Photo: Sputnik

The Su-34 fighter-bomber (NATO designation: Fullback) will be equipped with a range of advanced weapons and electronic warfare systems within the next five years, Sputnik reported on December 10. This plan was first announced by the Russian Ministry of Defense in July of this year.

"Our plan is to upgrade this aircraft to extend its lifespan, as well as increase the number of weapons it can carry. This fighter-bomber is very popular in the Russian armed forces and has great potential for the future," said Russian Deputy Defense Minister Yury Borisov.

During the counter-terrorism campaign in Syria, the Su-34 was equipped with a variety of weapons such as a 30 mm cannon, air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles, and KAB-500S smart bombs. These weapons allowed the Su-34 to destroy rebel infrastructure and command centers, while also defending itself against airborne threats.

The Russian Ministry of Defense wants to add more new combat systems to the Su-34, notably the Kh-35 anti-ship missile. The country also plans to upgrade this modern fighter-bomber so that it can launch ballistic missiles.

Late last year, the Su-34, dubbed the "flying tank" for its ability to carry up to 8 tons of weapons, was fitted with the Khibiny jamming system, transforming it into an electronic warfare aircraft. Khibiny is capable of suppressing enemy radar systems and anti-aircraft missiles, jamming and disabling early warning aircraft (AWACS). This system was developed by the Radio-Electronic Technologies Corporation (KRET), Russia's largest company in this field.

The Su-34 will be equipped with a new radar featuring several improvements by the end of this year. Currently, the aircraft uses the Leninets V004 passive phased array radar, allowing it to detect enemy fighters from a distance of 200-250 km. In addition, the Russian Ministry of Defense is considering the possibility of installing the M402 Pika side-scan radar (SLAR) along with the L175V/KS418 jamming equipment on the Su-34.

According to VNE