Russia’s defense industry continues to produce new Su-34 fighter-bombers despite ongoing international sanctions, with a freshly manufactured aircraft recently spotted at the Moshkovo airfield in Novosibirsk wearing factory gray primer, according to a report by Defense Blog.
Production Rates and Factory Output
The newly spotted twin-seat aircraft rolled off the assembly line at the Novosibirsk Aviation Plant, also known as NAZ or NAPO, which operates as the sole manufacturer of the Su-34 under Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation. According to production data cited by Defense Blog, the Russian Air Force received a total of 212 Su-34 airframes from the Novosibirsk facility by early 2026, a figure that includes seven prototypes and pre-production models.
Factory delivery numbers remained steady through recent years, with the plant handing over 15 serial aircraft in 2024 followed by another 18 in 2025. Defense analysts cited by Defense Blog estimate current manufacturing output at roughly 18 to 20 new airframes annually. This output persists despite sweeping Western sanctions specifically designed to hobble Russia’s defense manufacturing sector.
Did you know?
The Su-34 traces its origins back to a Soviet-era design contract signed in 1989. The aircraft eventually entered official military service in March 2014 as a modern replacement for the aging Su-24.
Combat Attrition Versus Manufacturing Output
While the Novosibirsk plant maintains its production rhythm, open-source intelligence tracking reveals significant combat losses. According to Oryx, an open-source research group that tracks visually verified military equipment losses, the Russian military has lost 43 Su-34 aircraft since the war in Ukraine began in February 2022. Oryx notes that this tally relies strictly on photographic or videographic evidence and likely underrepresents the total actual losses.
Comparing manufacturing output against these losses highlights a persistent gap. Analysts cited in the reports point out that Russia’s annual production rate of 18 to 20 planes lags behind the visually confirmed destruction rate over extended periods of the conflict. Because of this dynamic, the Su-34 manufacturing program has emerged as one of the most closely monitored defense supply chains in open-source intelligence assessments.
Aircraft Specifications and Operational Role
Known by its NATO reporting name Fullback, the Su-34 is a twin-engine, two-seat fighter-bomber designed for precision strike missions. The aircraft features a Sh141 phased array antenna, an L-150 Pastel early warning radar, and 12 external weapon stations. It supports in-flight refueling and incorporates an onboard auxiliary power unit designed to let the jet operate from airfields lacking standard ground support equipment.
During the conflict in Ukraine, the Russian military has deployed the Su-34 extensively to drop glide bombs on Ukrainian positions and urban areas. According to military assessments, these stand-off tactics allow the jets to launch munitions from safe distances, keeping the aircraft largely out of reach of opposing air defense systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Su-34 manufactured?
The Su-34 is manufactured exclusively at the Novosibirsk Aviation Plant (NAZ or NAPO), a facility operated by Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation.
What is the NATO reporting name for the Su-34?
NATO designates the twin-seat fighter-bomber by the reporting name Fullback.
How many Su-34 aircraft have been lost in Ukraine?
According to visual tracking data published by the Oryx open-source group, at least 43 Su-34 aircraft have been visually confirmed destroyed since February 2022.
What is the current production rate for the Su-34?
Independent defense analysts estimate that the Novosibirsk plant produces approximately 18 to 20 new Su-34 airframes per year.
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