According to defense industry sources quoted by TASS, the industry began construction of prototypes of the PAK DA strategic bomber. Construction of the first aircraft is expected to be completed in 2021.

The PAK DA project goes back to 2009, when Tupolev Design Bureau began R&D on the project. In 2011, the Long-Range Aviation drew its set of requirements for the new aircraft. The contract to develop the plane was signed with the Tupolev Design Bureau in 2014 (other sources suggest 2017). The current plan is to build three prototype aircraft and to complete the program of tests in 2023-2025.