Article Posted on : - Jun 05, 2017

A file photo of Tu-160 in flight. Photo: Presidential Press and Information Office, Russia

MOSCOW (TASS-DEFENCE): Russia's Armed Forces will be receiving the Tupolev Tu-160M2 (NATO reporting name: Blackjack) strategic bomber in 2021, Yuri Slyusar, President of Russia's United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) told Rambler News Service.

"We have said that the main plane will perform a flight in 2018 and its delivery to the Armed Forces will begin in 2021," Slyusar said.

The number of planes to be delivered to the Defense Ministry is under discussion now, he added.

In February 2017, Russian Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov said that the serial production of the upgraded Tu-160 plane was expected to begin at the Kazan Aircraft Plant in 2020.