SU-34

SU-34

'Fullback'

The Su-34 is an all-weather combat aircraft capable of carrying all available types of high-precision air-to-surface weapons.
According to The National Interest experts, one of the main advantages of the Fullback is its ability to carry air-to-air missiles, including the R-73 short-range missile and R-77 long-range radar-navigated missile (with an operating range of nearly 1,130 kilometers).

Backup and Support

SU-30

The Russian task force in Syria also is comprised of Su-30SM jet fighters. According to the Pentagon, there are four jets at the Hmeymim airbase. Their purpose is to protect ground support aircraft and bombers attacking ISIL.

The aircraft are armed with the R-73, R-27P and R-27ER air-to-air missiles. The R-73 is designed for dogfights. It has an operational range of 30 kilometers, and is equipped with a heat-seeking warhead. The R-27R and R-27ER have an operational range of up to 70 kilometers, with a guided flight of 35 seconds.

MI-24

The Russian unit in Syria also includes helicopters. Their number and models have not been made public by the Defense Ministry though.

According to Colonel Igor Klimov, a spokesperson for the Russian Aerospace Forces, Mi-24 attack helicopters are used in the operation for search and rescue operations as well as to maintain security around the Hmeymim base.
Each of the helicopters is armed with four blocks of 20 non-guided missiles and a 30-mm gun. The Mi-24 has a maximum altitude of 4,500 meters; its top speed is 300 kmh.

Sea-Borne Salute

Caspian Flotilla

The 26 missiles fired by the Caspian Flotilla against ISIL positions in Syria took more than just the militants by surprise. Those who doubted the capabilities of 3M14 cruise missile of the Kalibr ship-based system were in shock and awe after the first strikes.
According to US military analyst Eric Wertheim, international specialists were surprised by the small size of the ships of project 11661 (the Tatarstan, the Dagestan) and of project 21631 Buyan-M. The displacement of these warships is no more than 2,000 tons.
To compare, the US Navy would need an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer with a displacement of 8,000 tons to launch a Tomahawk multipurpose missile, a rival to the Russian 3M14 missile.
Despite their compact size, warships of the Caspian Flotilla showed off an unprecedented firing range of more than 1,500 kilometers.