Article Posted on : - Dec 26, 2008

A file photo of TU-160. A Tupolev photo

MOSCOW (BNS): Russia is planning to modernise its Tu-160 Blackjack and Tu-95MS Bear strategic bombers next year along with Tu-22M3 Backfire.

News agency RIA Novosti quoted a strategic aviation commander as saying that a deep modernisation of the strategic fleet was on the anvil. The aircraft are around 15 years old and need an overhauling for increasing their life span.

Major general Pavel Androsov, commander of the 37th Air Army, said the aircraft would have new targeting and navigation systems so that unguided bombs can be launched with accuracy to engage any target within 20 meters.

The strategic bombers are designed to fly long hours. This year, Tu-160 bombers achieved a rare feet of making two 15-hour flights, with mid-air refueling of up to 25 tonnes on each mission. The range of the aircraft would be increased after modernisation and the onboard systems would be significantly upgraded.

More than 60 strategic and long-range bombers and 15 refuellers were flown in patrol missions carrying out 60 sorties and launching 100 tactical missiles this year. The total flight hours clocked was 660 hours.

Russia had deployed the aircraft to several areas in the world to display the reach and capability of its strategic forces. The deployment was carried out in retaliation to the western powers making their presence felt close to the Russian borders.

The Russian bombers flew over the Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic Oceans forcing other countries to take notice. There would be more activities in the coming year, as Russia will come up with better machines. The upgradation programme is likely to be completed in a year, said officials. The long-range bombers were effective in dealing with
targets far away from the shores. They are capable of carrying the nuclear arsenal.

Kremlin had sent these bombers to Venezuela a few weeks ago, inviting strong reactions from Pentagon. The presence of Russian bombers close to the US airspace had caused serious concerns in Washington. The movement of the aircraft was closely followed even though Russia had claimed it was purely a military exercise with a friendly country.