Ministry of defense and the Tupolev design bureau signed a contact to develop a new long-range strategic bomber (known in Russia as PAK DA). Under the contract, Tupolev will develop a draft technical design of the aircraft. The new bomber is expected to be included in the 2016-2025 State Armament Program.

The R&D work on the new bomber was reported to begin in 2011. Preliminary design work started earlier - in 2009. At the time, it was expected that flight tests of the aircraft would begin in 2020.