Russia orders Sukhoi bombers for air force

MOSCOW, March 23 (UPI) -- The new Su-34 fighter-bomber will look more attractive to foreign purchasers now that Russia's air force is acquiring 18 of them, its maker has said.

Mikhail Pogosyan, director general of Russian aircraft manufacturer Sukhoi Co., said Thursday that annual production of 15 to 20 of the aircraft would see the company's plant in the city of Novosibirsk working at optimal capacity.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov has said his ministry will purchase 18 Su-34 Fullback fighter-bombers between 2006 and 2008, with an additional six Su-34s by 2010, RIA Novosti reported Thursday.

The two-seat strike aircraft is designed to deliver high-precision strikes at heavily guarded targets in any weather conditions, day or night, using various weapons. The $36 million Su-34 is designed to replace the Su-24 Fencer front-line bomber in the air force.