Evaluation Of Combat Experience In Ukraine, Russia Upgrades Sukhoi Su-34 Bomber Electronic Warfare Equipment

Ilustrasi Sukhoi Su-34. (Wikimedia Commons / Alex Beltyukov)

JAKARTA - The Khibiny electronic warfare (EW) system mounted on the Su-34 main bomber will be upgraded, taking into account the performance of Russia's special military operations in Ukraine, a defense source said.

"Khibiny's onboard electronic warfare suite will be upgraded to make its operation more automated. The role of the pilot in the upgraded version will be minimized," the source said, citing TASS May 23.

TASS has no official confirmation of this information.

The Russian Ministry of Defense has previously repeatedly posted videos of Su-34 fighter-bombers hammering Ukrainian army positions in Russian special military operations in Ukraine. The bombers delivered strikes against long-range Ukrainian bunker positions, weapons and ammunition depots.

Last March, Su-34 bombers of the Russian Air Force successfully destroyed weapons and military equipment depots of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

"The crew of the Su-34 aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces have disabled military facilities and military equipment of the Ukrainian army. Military parking areas, armored vehicles, weapons depots have been destroyed with the use of high-precision weapons," the Defense Ministry said.

Known, Khibiny is an airborne electronic warfare system. A fighter jet with the Khibiny EW suite on board was apparently invisible to enemy radar.

The protective radio-electronic field it creates around the aircraft makes enemy missiles miss their mark. The EW suite can help control bomber weapons, generate decoy interference and penetrate enemy multi-layered air defenses. Today the Khibiny EW suite is mounted on the Su-34 frontline bomber.