Russia is preparing for the first flight of upgraded Su-24 tactical bomber on January 21, 2008. The first upgraded aircraft at the airfield Pereyaslovka arrived on 24 December last year.

The Far East unit combat airplanes of Russian air force and air defense have been undergoing a planned upgrade. As a part of the plan Su-27SM was the first one to be modified.

The first flight will be attended by all pilots trained in Lipetsk aviation center for retraining the crew.

Currently routine maintenance on preparation for the forthcoming first flights is conducted on aviation equipment and aggregates of rear and technical support.