Moscow now says it will purchase 58 Su-34 fighter-bombers by 2015 and may receive its first new Tu-160 strategic bomber by the end of this year, according to the Russian News & Information Agency. The Su-34 is slated to replace the Su-24.
The Air Force could conduct an operation like Israel's successful air campaign against Iran's nuclear sites, military leadership and air defenses, but readiness issues would make it risky, airpower experts said. Limited spare parts and training, low mission capable rates and few flying hours would put a drag on USAF's…