Has Russia really adapted the Su-34 bomber to launch "Kinzhal" missiles? An aviation expert responds

Information is circulating online, that Russia is using its Su-34 fighter-bombers to launch "Kinzhal"-type aeroballistic missiles. However, these aircraft cannot launch such missiles for technical reasons.

Aviation expert and deputy director of an electronic warfare production company, Anatoliy Khrapchynskyi said this to Kanal 24.

According to him, while the Russians could modify the Su-34 fighter-bomber, the launch and operation would not enable the "Kinzhal" to achieve the necessary speed to function as an aeroballistic hypersonic missile. Therefore, this information is yet another piece of Russian propaganda.

"The Russians constantly lie, and in this case, two critical factors expose them. The "Kinzhal" is an aeroballistic missile that requires high speed for launch. The Su-34 operates at speeds of around 1.6–1.8 Mach, while the MiG-31K operates at speeds of about 2.8 Mach, which makes it a suitable first stage for launching the "Kinzhal" at such high velocities," Khrapchynskyi explained.

Moreover, altitude is another important factor. For instance, the Kinzhal needs to be launched at an altitude of about 15,000 meters, which is the maximum altitude for the Su-34, complicating its ability to launch this missile.

Russian propaganda about aircraft modernization

The Russians are actively spreading disinformation about adapting Su-34, Su-30, and Su-35 aircraft for enhanced capabilities to deceive its audience. This is because Russia is losing strategic aviation capable of launching cruise or ballistic missiles with ranges exceeding 500 kilometers.

"The Russian leadership has tasked itself with creating missiles that could be launched from under the wing of tactical aircraft. Russia is now actively spreading propaganda about its alleged super capabilities, but this does not reflect reality," Khrapchynskyi concluded.

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