Several countries interested in purchasing Russian Su-34 bombers after seeing them in action in Syria
Several countries are showing increased interest in purchasing Russian Su-34 frontline bombers after witnessing the aircraft in action during the Syrian operation, according to Deputy CEO of Russia’s state arms exporter Rosoboronexport, Sergey Goreslavsky, TASS reported.
"Without a doubt, the interest has increased and I want to say that dozens of Rosoboronexport delegates are on foreign business trips weekly and a very intense process of negotiations is under way with countries from the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, Asia and so on,” Goreslavsky said at the Defexpo India-2016 arms show.
“As a result of the operation [in Syria] the interest in the Su-34 has increased. Several countries in particular are showing intense interest. They are in the Middle East, but I won’t name them,” he added.
Russia has insisted that their forces in Syria have targeted positions of the so-called Islamic State and al-Nusra Front since the operation began in September of last year. The West, however, has accused Russian bombers of targeting moderate, western-backed opposition groups.
On March 15th, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that the majority of Russian forces would be with withdrawn from the war-torn country. Despite the announcement, however, Russia maintains a significant presence at its Khmeimim airbase in Syria. According to satellite images, 24 Russian aircraft are still stationed at the airbase, including 12 Su-24s, four Su-30s, four Su-34s, and four Su-35s.
The Kremlin has acknowledged that Russian aircraft carried out tactical airstrikes against the so-called Islamic State in support of Syrian government forces in the territory around Palmyra, which was recaptured from the extremist organization last week.