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Russia's SU-27 Flanker has become both an export success and a design success, with its airframe based on America's "teen series fighters" such as the F-14, F15 and F16. Refinements and modifications also stem from the SU-30/35 upgrades to versions that add canard foreplanes (SU-30MKI/M, SU-37), and even carrier-launched capability (SU-33). The front horizontal empennage behind the cockpit is designed to help it combat the air pockets found in high-speed flight at low altitudes.

The SU-32/34 "Fullback" was envisaged as the successor to the F-111-like SU-24 "Fencer" that remains in service and was very highly regarded in Chechnya as a battlefield support aircraft. The SU-34's design has evolved since 1986, most visibly so in the present side-by-side cockpit that includes features like an aisle to rest in and even a toilet of sorts.

Once production begins, the SU-32/34 will continue on its journey that began with the aircraft's maiden flight in 1990 as the T10V/SU-27IB.

In December 2006 Sukhoi announced that it expects to produce 18 SU-34s by 2010 and in March 2006 defense minister Sergei Ivanov announced a longer-term schedule that calls for 58 aircraft to be purchased by 2015. Eventual demand levels may rise to 200 aircraft, in order to replace Russia's 300 existing SU-24s.

The SU-34 is meant to deliver a sufficiently large ordnance load to a predetermined area, hit the target accurately and take evasive action against pursuing enemy planes. The plane can also handle enemy fighters in combat — including many of America's "teen series" aircraft.

The SU-34 is also referred to as the "SU-32" by Sukhoi. Its maximum speed is Mach 1.8 at altitude with a 3000 km range with standard drop tanks, extendable to more than 4000 km with the help of additional drop tanks. The SU-34 is reported to have a 45-ton maximum take-off weight, an 8-ton ordnance load, distributed on 10 hardpoints that can accommodate precision-guided weapons, as well as R-73/AA-11 Archer and R-77/AA-12 AMRAAMSKI missiles.

The aircraft is also armed with a 30-mm GSh-301 gun and 180 rounds. The AL-31FM1 engines are built by the Moscow-based Salyut Company, developing a thrust of more than 29,000 pounds and have a 1000-hour service life between scheduled maintenance events. It may be that the more powerful AL-41 engine may be fitted in the future.