The Su-34 (NATO reporting name: Fullback) is a Soviet/Russian fighter-bomber. In the Sukhoi Design Bureau, the idea to create an aircraft based on the Su-27 emerged back in the 1980s. The goal was to replace the ageing Su-24 and create a universal combat aircraft. The designers took the two-seat Su-27UB as a basis, which allowed for the inclusion of a navigator/weapon systems operator in the crew.

The first prototype of the Su-34, designated T10V-1, took to the air in 1990. By 1993, the aircraft had been refined and equipped with additional systems, after which flight tests of a pre-production prototype began. However, the manufacturing of the pre-production batch was delayed until 2005. In 2008, the Russian Ministry of Defence concluded the first large contract for the supply of Su-34 fighter-bombers. With the start of serial production, the aircraft was constantly being refined, with improvements to onboard systems and even the powerplant. Currently, the Su-34 is in service and is actively being supplied to the Russian Aerospace Forces.

Introduced in Update “Firebirds”, the Su-34 incorporates the best attack qualities of its predecessors, the Su-25 and Su-24, while retaining its versatility. In addition to an impressive overall payload, it possesses one of the most extensive arsenals of precision-guided munitions: satellite-guided bombs, a large number of air-to-ground missiles, as well as the new Grom-2 glide bomb with satellite guidance. Furthermore, the Su-34 is also well-suited for air combat, as a large number of air-to-air missiles can be a significant asset in aerial engagements. However, the aircraft is not without its drawbacks: it pays for its excellent attack capabilities with a rather high mass, as well as not the best speed and manoeuvrability compared to its counterparts.