Su-32 order

Su-34 to Raise Production at NAPO

In 2004, the volumes of production at the Novosibirsk Chkalov Aviation Production Association (NAPO) will triple. These indicators are embedded in the enterprise’s development plan adopted by the NAPO board of directors last Friday, the vice governor of the Novosibirsk Oblast’, Vadim Fedorov, reported yesterday. The enterprise’s management is placing its main stake on the state order for the production of Su-34 tactical fighter-bombers.

The twin-seat Su-34 fighter bomber is intended for destruction of aerial, ground and surface targets, and also aerial reconnaissance. The length is 22 meters, wing span is 14.7 meters, maximum takeoff weight is 44,360 kilograms, maximum speed in 1,900 kilometers per hour, and maximum flight range is 1,130 kilometers.

At the end of last week, air force commander-in-chief, Vladimir Mikhaylov, who made a 5-hour visit to Novosibirsk, held talks with NAPO representatives and Oblast’ officials on the state order for the production of the Su-34. At the end of the discussions, the sides refrained from detailed comments, but, as Mr. Mikhaylov noted, with the execution of the order, there “is enough work for all the plant’s 7,000 personnel”.

It is recalled that CinC Mikhaylov reported about the intention to conclude an agreement for the delivery of these aircraft as early as August at the MAKS aerospace salon which was taking place in the Moscow suburb of Zhukovskiy. Then, in the presence of president Vladimir Putin, the general-colonel declared assuredly that an agreement for the production of several such aircraft would be concluded. As Mr. Fedorov reported yesterday, originally the Novosibirsk Production Association and the similar enterprise at Komsomol’sk-on-Amur had been looked at as the main contractor. However, after getting acquainted with the production capabilities, the industrial and manpower potential of the Chkalov NAPO (the Novosibirsk people already have built seven of the aircraft), the aviation CinC decided to use Novosibirsk.

And as Vladimir Mikhaylov earlier, Vadim Fedorov also was extremely restrained in forecasts relative to the size of the order. The aircraft CinC reported that “Bobryshev (the general director of Chkalov NAPO Aleksandr Bobryshev) is asking much, I am giving a little, and as a result we have met in the middle.” The vice governor was limited by the conclusion that “the urban plant will be sufficiently busy.” Both agreed that there is enough work for a sufficiently lengthy utilization of the aircraft enterprise’s 7,000 strong collective. It is recalled that last year nearly 1,000 people were laid off at the plant. The execution of the state order itself, according of NAPO specialists, will require the creation of not fewer than 500 additional jobs.

According to commander-in-chief Mikhaylov, the Su-34 bombers will replace in the Russian air force arsenal the Su-24M which no longer meets the newest requirements. The Su-34 will be assembled, in that number, also on the basis of 12 Su-24M at NAPO. As Vadim Fedorov reported, Omsk manufactured engines will be installed on the Su-34 … [rest edited out]

Source: 02.12.03, Kommersant

Placement of State Order at NAPO for Production of Su-34 Will Allow Rehabilitation of Plant’s Facilities

The Novosibirsk Oblast’ administration is evaluating the Russian Federation air force’s plans for the placement of an order for the manufacture of Su-34 airplanes at AO Novosibirsk’s Chkalov Aviation Production Association as the possible rehabilitation of the plant’s facilities. the vice governor of the Novosibirsk Oblast’ and member of the NAPO board of directors, Vadim Fedorov, declared to journalists on Monday.

He recalled that on 28 November, air force commander-in-chief General-Colonel Vladimir Mikhaylov visited the plant. “After he got acquainted thoroughly with the factory, a decision was made about the placement of the order for the production of these airplanes at our plant. Moreover, NAPO will receive an order for the upgrade and rebuilding of 12 Su-24 tactical bombers, part of which will be delivered within the framework of a contract to Algiers, and part into the air force inventory,” he said.

V. Fedorov emphasized that this order means the maintenance of a unique production facility and the creation of on the order of 500 new jobs for NAPO. “The plant has not received any huge military orders for a long time, however, it has been able to maintain the technology, and this order means for it a way out to the previous level of production. Moreover, this is an urban enterprise, and a serious order for it means an increase in tax payments to the regional and city budgets,” the vice governor noted.

Earlier, Interfax with a reference to the air force CinC, V. Mikhaylov, reported that NAPO will build up to 10 new Su-34 strike combat airplanes by the end of 2005 – the start of 2006. According to the commander-in-chief, “50 percent of these aircraft will reach the inventory in an air force and air defense forces unit which is deployed in the Siberian region.” We will find the money for the purchase of these airplanes. The Su-34 airplanes are expensive, but not more expensive than the security of our country,” he declared.

V. Mikhaylov also reported that the corresponding agreement for production of the new airplanes between NAPO and the Ministry of Defense will be signed before 15 December in Moscow.

The Su-34 airplane is being looked at as one of the Russian air force’s highest priority programs. In the opinion of a number of specialists, the avionics level of this aircraft permits considering it for fifth generation combat airplanes. It is assumed that the new aircraft will replace the Tu-22M3 long-range bombers, and also, in part, the Su-24M tactical bombers.

The Su-34 has a significant upgrade potential. Besides the bomber and fighter-bomber modification, work is underway on the creation of new Su-34 variants, in particular a reconnaissance airplane and electronic warfare airplane.

Source: 01.12.03, Interfax-AVN

IMO, the second report obviously has it wrong- it will partially replace the Tu-22M3 force, eventually, and wholly the Su-24M force- eventually.