Russia may re-configure its Sukhoi Su-34 fighter-bomber into an armoured attack aircraft, that reported by TASS.

The project to developed a ground armoured attack aircraft on the basis of Sukhoi Su-34 will be launched in 2018.

“In the future it may be, and will replace the Su-25, and we will arrive at a range of different modifications of the Su-34. Commander said – universality” Russian Aerospace Forces Commander Viktor Bondarev said in June this year.

The Sukhoi Su-34 (NATO designation Fullback) was developed primarily for the strike/attack role to replace theSu-24 Fencer. It is a derivative of the Su-27 Flanker, easily distinguished by its side-by-side cockpit and ‘platypus’ nose.