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.
As Air Force leaders consider concepts of operations for Collaborative Combat Aircraft, sustainment in the field—and easing that support by using standard parts and limiting variants—should be a key consideration, according to a new study from AFA's Mitchell Institute of Aerospace Studies.