Russian Air Force Commander Vladimir Mikhailov told RIA Novosti news service that the Russian Air Force would receive by 2010 a regiment’s worth of new Su-34 fighter-bombers to replace its older Su-24 front line bomber. It has “about 10” so far, he said. In January, Mikhailov was hailing the prospective arrival of a new tactical fighter and saying replacements for older MiGs was in order.
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
