The first modernised Tu-160M strategic bomber is to enter the Russian Armed Forces service in 2021.
The upgraded aircraft features new weaponry, improved electronics and upgraded avionics.
According to local media, this was announced by Defence Minister General of the Army Sergei Shoigu during his visit to the Gorbunov Kazan Aviation Plant, a branch of the Tupolev PJSC.
“We are working on upgrading the Tu-160M and giving its a new outlook in accordance with the schedule. The first aircraft which will have no analogues in the world, will enter the troops in 2021”, the head of the defence department stated, as he opened a session focused on maintaining health of armaments, military and special hardware.
“The aircraft will be equipped with the latest on-board defence system, a modern reliable communications system with enhanced anti-jamming system, and unique weapons, which will significantly expand its combat capabilities when using standard and nuclear weapons. NK-32 engines of the second series are installed on the strategic bomber, which will significantly increase the flight range and duration.”
The bomber will carry the hypersonic Kh-90 (3M25 Meteorit-A) missile. The Russian Air Force will receive more than 10 modernised Tu-160M2s by 2020.
Entering service in 1987, the Tu-160 was the last strategic bomber designed for the Soviet Union. As of 2016, the Russian Air Force, Long Range Aviation branch has 16 aircraft remaining, with fewer being airworthy and in service.
The Tu-160 active fleet has been undergoing upgrades to electronics systems since the early 2000s.
The emperors new clothes.
10 aircraft are not a capability, they are window dressing.
It’s Ten more than We Have though.
We have more than 10 Meteors.
Yes, it is capability! Russia could quit easy use a squadron of Tu160’s to launch a conventional attack on the UK, and we got nothing to retaliate with, the F-35 does Not have the range to reach Moscow!
Only if we had Vulcans!
We wouldn’t need to retaliate. Shoot them down, what are they going to do then once they’re all gone?
The Russian bombers would Not need to enter UK airspace, they will have launched stand-off warpons similar to Storm Shadow.
By the time Typhoon’s had reached the launch position, the bombers would gone!
Yeah we got rid of Vulcan because it could not penetrate air defences even with cruise missiles and we have four large SSBN’s with 64 missiles and 160 nuclear weapons to retaliate with. If you want a conventional deterrent then we have 7 SSN’s armed with cruise missile and Typhoons that can launched storm shadow and reach Russia with tankers. That’s before you include all the assets of NATO. No stealthy aircraft like this and the B1 and B52 have about as much utility is throwing missiles out the back for a cargo plane. Useful capability to have but not… Read more »
Dem Whit Swanes Ist A Buggerin Newsanse , fliyin oft da Coowst of Ukrane awl va tim. growlley bumberin freats to bumus awl .now wee hast Mericann stuff ov much Venty hatefluid an acruiity ov aimm we know linger hast fraid ov Rusky Bangy Bang Bangs ore them Tanky tracky fire rods of 120 raign.
We Is Noto Reedy nowe. we Is wanking to Joyn upp an Kock Rusky Ass
Indubitably.
Captain? He’s a translator you know.
Daniele, Am I ? What’s the pay ? !!!! OK, This might take a while as I’ve looked at it a few times now and It’s all a tad Worrying, especially the last bit !!! “Them White Swans ( that’s what they call the T160’s ), are a Nuisance, flying off the coast of Ukraine. Growling Bomber (Chips ?) Threats to bomb us all. Now we have American Equipment which is Powerful and Accurate, We are no longer afraid of Russian Guns and Tanks. The last bit I hope says, We are ready to join NATO and join up to… Read more »
Guys just a thought but maybe he’s dyslexic and probably deeply offended by anyone ‘translating’ for him !
ooops, didn’t think of that !!!
That might explain the lack of Spell Checker.
Crikey? Nor did I.
Just assumed it was a deliberate wind up.
And still do, considering the name. Try reading that out loud.
You’re losing it! I used to rely on YOU for these posts!
But if you need payment….hmmmmm!
They could carry 20 ASM. Ten cities gone.
As I understand it is 3 per year, including new build. So by 2027 they will have ~30 operational Mach 2.0 15,000km bombers. That is not to be sneezed at.
The UK needs to rebuild the Vulcan bomber force,
armed with warpons like Storm Shadow, ER- JSSM and future Perseus. The Vulcan would make best conventional deterrent with a range of 3000 miles. Vulcan(modernize), powered by 4 New EJ2X0 with 80000+ lb of thrust, could have a dual role of ISR aircraft equipped with a removable ASARS-2 radar module in bomb bay.
Mate, Go lay down.
Are you Not concerned that Russia could launch a surprised conventional attack on UK military bases, of which I envisaged in a previous post?
Yup. I’m concerned by Every Possible Scenario Truth be Know but Vulcans being Re Activated, Ain’t never ever going to happen. Lancaster’s are another story though ! There are still Two Flying.
I Thank you for your concern!
But the Lancaster would not fit the bill to be Transonic!
Merion, It worked OK with our Stringbags, They flew so slow that the Bismark couldn’t Target them ! Mind you, It’s a difficult thing to choose between the Vulcan Howl or the sound of 4 Merlins.