Modernised strategic bombers will boost Russia’s military power, Vladimir Putin has said.
Speaking on a visit to an aircraft-making plant in Kazan, the Russian president said the revamped version of the Soviet-designed Tu-160 bomber features new engines and avionics that would significantly enhance its capability.
The Russian leader attended the signing of a 2.9 billion US dollar contract that will see the delivery of 10 such planes to the Russian air force.
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He said the upgraded bomber is a “serious step in the development of high-tech industries and strengthening the nation’s defense capabilities”.
#Kazan: The President visited the Gorbunov Aviation Plant, saw a demonstration flight of the new Tu-160M supersonic strategic bomber and missile carrier https://t.co/WeZGr2jB8Q pic.twitter.com/rgnRQ5p4N8
— President of Russia (@KremlinRussia_E) January 25, 2018
The four-engine supersonic bomber developed in the 1980s is the largest combat plane in the world. During Russia’s campaign in Syria, the military used the Tu-160s to launch log-range cruise missiles at militant targets.
Mr Putin also suggested that the plant develop a supersonic passenger jet based on the Tu-160, saying Russia’s vast territory would warrant such a design.
The state-controlled United Aircraft Corp said in a statement carried by Tass news agency that preliminary work has started on designing such a plane.
The Soviet-designed Tu-144 supersonic passenger jet that rivalled the British-French Concorde saw only a brief service with Aeroflot after Soviet officials decided it was too costly to operate. Concorde entered service in 1976 and operated for 27 years.