Speaking at a press-conference, Lt.-Gen. Igor Khvorov, the commander of the Long-range Aviation, detailed strategic bomber acquisition plans.
Two Tu-160 bombers that were expected to enter active service in 2005 will be delivered in the first quarter of 2006. According to Khvorov, one new Tu-160 (presumably configured to carry nuclear ALCMs) will enter service "in the beginning of the year". The second Tu-160 is an old aircraft converted to carry high-precision conventional weapons. This bomber is expected to enter service in the end of February of 2006.
Khvorov also mentioned the Tu-160 aircraft that was included into the 2006 acquisition plan. That bomber will be delivered in the end of 2006, bringing the number of Tu-160 in the Russian strategic forces to 16. Unless its delivery is moved to 2007, that is.
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Comments
Although the gradual addition of Tu-160 is a good sign for Russian Strategic Avation , The Tu-160 are all gradually being converted for long range precision conventional strikes using NG Crusie Missile and PGM .
Russia also stated that there are no plans to replace the Tu-160 in the long run by a new design and perhaps she would be upgraded with Plasma Stealth/RAM and other RCS reduction features to make it effective in 21st Century.
But the replacement of Tu-22M3 was a high priority , although they developed the interim Tu-22M5 backfire till the Joint Continental Bomber Project T-60S takes shape perhaps post 2015?.
Are the Russian still continuing with the T-60S design or did they dropped the plans to replace the Backfire.
Any new related news to T-60S would be really good.