Russian Air Force struggles to replace combat aircraft losses
Although the Russian defence industry continues to supply the army with new combat aircraft, the pace of delivering new machines is noticeably slower than in previous years. What exactly does it look like?
Ukrainian military and political commentator Oleksandr Kovalenko addressed the topic. According to him, Russians are producing combat aircraft such as the Su-35, Su-34, Su-57, and Yak-130 training aircraft. In the case of the Su-30 and MiG-29 fighters, they are primarily focused on repairs and modernization of stored units.
How many combat aircraft does Russia produce?
– They are primarily producing Su-35 and Su-34 aircraft now. They can produce one squadron per year, which is a maximum of 8-10 such aircraft annually – said Oleksandr Kovalenko on the Kyiv24 television channel.
According to the Ukrainian expert, the production of the Su-57, the most modern combat aircraft of the Russian Air Force, is much more modest. This is a fifth-generation multi-role aircraft with reduced detectability, capable of supercruise (supersonic speed without using afterburners). The Su-57 can operate at an altitude of up to 20,000 metres. Standard equipment includes a 30 mm cannon, but it also has 12 hardpoints for heavier weaponry.
– Sometimes, they say they can produce more, even a squadron, but this is unlikely. There has been no evidence that this is indeed the case. This means that a maximum of 2-4 such aircraft are produced annually – believes Kovalenko.
This year, Russians have been strengthened with only four Su-34s
The Ukrainian's calculations corroborate the latest deliveries to the Russian army. In 2024, it received two deliveries of Su-34s, with each consisting of only two such aircraft.
This is particularly interesting because the Su-34 is considered the backbone of the Russian Air Force. It is a tactical bomber measuring over 23 metres in length, capable of reaching speeds of up to 1,900 km/h with its two AL-31FM1 engines.
It has a GS-30-1 30 mm cannon, but its most important feature is the ability to carry up to 8 tons of additional weaponry, which the Russians use to attack Ukrainian positions. They use the Su-34 to carry and drop KAB-guided bombs weighing hundreds of kilograms, and even the FAB-3000, considered the most powerful bombs in Putin's arsenal.
In 2022, the Russian Air Force was strengthened with 29 new combat aircraft. In 2023, they received 26 combat aircraft. The Ukrainian portal Defence Express emphasized that Russian production of combat aircraft continues. Still, its scale is significantly limited and may prove insufficient to replace combat aircraft lost in the conflict with Ukraine fully.
