Russia Upgrades Workshops for New Tu-160 Bomber Production

The Russian United Aircraft Corporation has completed the modernization of three workshops for the production of new Tu-160 bombers.

This was reported by Defence News.

The modernized workshops will be used for the production of parts for the Tu-160M bomber, which will then be assembled at the Kazan Aviation Plant.

The work took place in the preparatory and production, mechanical assembly and flight test centers.

This will provide the Russian Aircraft Corporation with new capabilities and accelerate the replenishment of its fleet of Tu-160 strategic bombers.

Work on the modernization of the enterprise and workshops began in 2016, after the Russian Ministry of Defense decided to resume production of this type of bomber.

In total, from 2016 to 2024, about 10 production facilities were modernized to prepare them for mass production of important components.

Under the contract signed by the Russian Ministry of Defense for the 2018-2027, the Russian Air Force is expected to receive 10 newly built Tu-160Ms.

During the preparation of the production line, the company was repeatedly prosecuted for corruption and late completion of work.

According to the original plan, the Kazan Aviation Plant was scheduled to complete the modernization of all its centers and workshops by 2020. However, the Kazan Aircraft Production Association reported that it was unable to meet this deadline, prompting additional modernization efforts financed by the company itself.

It should also be noted that the Kazan Aviation Plant is modernizing Tu-22M3 aircraft and old-built Tu-160s.

Previously, Militarny reported that the Kazan Aviation Plant was preparing to transfer a new batch of Tu-160M bombers to the Russian Aerospace Forces.