Russia to deploy new Su-34 bombers

MOSCOW -- Five Su-34 frontline bombers will be deployed in an air base near the city of Voronezh in southwest Russia, a spokesperson with the Russian Western Military District said Tuesday.

"Five Su-34 multi-purpose frontline bombers have left Novosibirsk aircraft building plant to Voronezh, a distance of over 3,000 km," Andrei Bobrun told reporters.

This will be the second squadron composed of Su-34s. The first one has been established in 2011.

According to the authorities, Novosibirsk plant in southern Russia will deliver ten aircraft in total to Voronezh.

Su-34 bomber is a warplane of a four-plus generation, with the operational range of 4,000 km and the maximum speed of 1,900 km per hour.

The Russian Defense Ministry said early this year that Sukhoi, Russia's leading aircraft builder would build 92 frontline bombers for the Russian forces under a newly signed contract.

By 2020, the Su-34s will replace Su-24s that are currently in service in a deal expected to amount to 100 billion rubles (3.3 billion U.S. dollars), according to the ministry.