Putin Praises Revamped Tu-160 Blackjacks As Serious Military Advancement

Vladimir Putin has praised the modernised Tu-160M 'Blackjack' bombers which he claims will boost Russia's military power. 

The strategic bombers are a revamped version of the Soviet-designed Tu-160 and feature new avionics and engines capable of significantly enhancing its capability.

On at a visit to an aircraft-making plant in Kazan, the Russian leader watched as the supersonic Tupolev-160M performed a demonstration flight. The Russian President then signed a contract that will see the delivery of 10 Tu-160s to the Russian Air Force.

He said the upgraded bomber is a:

"Serious step in the development of high-tech industries and strengthening the nation's defence capabilities because it is one of the elements of our nuclear triad."

The Tu-160M's demonstration flight 

Originally developed in the 1980s, the supersonic bomber has four-engines and is the largest combat plane with a variable shape wing in the world.

The bomber, nicknamed in Russian as the ‘White swan’ will utilise a new computerised control system, radar and radio-electronic countermeasure equipment and better fuel consumption.

The plane is now capable of flying 12,000 kilometres without refuelling, and in combination with the IIyushin-78 tanker plane will have round-the-globe capability.

Russian news agency Tass reports that the upgrade of the Soviet original will increase the effectiveness by 60%.

Recently the Russian Blackjack bombers made headlines in the UK when RAF Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) Typhoon aircraft scrambled from RAF Lossiemouth to monitor the two long-range bombers approaching UK airspace. 

The RAF QRA were launched because the Russian military aircraft were reportedly not talking to air traffic agencies. 

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson commented on the event saying:

"The threats this country faces are intensifying and we will not hesitate in defending our skies from acts of aggression."

Cover photo: MoD