Russian Air Force To Get 50 New Tu-160M Strategic Bombers

Russian air force will purchase at least 50 new Tu-160M strategic bombers besides commencing production of the T-50 (PAK-FA) fighter by 2017.

“In order to cover the expenses at least 50 aircraft of the type will be purchased, the Minister of Defense has made the decision to resume production of Tu-160M aircraft,” Commander-in-Chief of Russian air forces, Colonel-General Viktor Bondarev was quoted as saying by Interfax Thursday.

The development of the next-generation strategic bomber would be carried out in parallel with the production of new Tu-160 jets.

Bondarev said that deliveries of the fifth-generation fighters to Russian air forces would be started in 2016. “Deliveries of the fifth-generation fighters will be started next year. We are completing testing of the aircraft; its mass production will be started in 2017.”

According to him, the armed forces are going to purchase as many aircraft of the type as the industry can produce. “We are going to purchase as many vehicles as they can manufacture; they produce four, we purchase four jets, they produce 10, we purchase 10 fighters,” Bondarev said.