The Kazan Aviation Plant is preparing to hand over a new batch of Tu-160M bombers to Russian Aerospace Forces.

The Russian media reported on this.

Currently, four Tu-160M strategic bombers are being prepared for delivery to Russian Aerospace Forces to enhance their capabilities.

The aircraft of this type are currently being completed and will soon be handed over to respective permanent base units.

Of the four aircraft, three were deeply modernized and one was built from scratch.

The new Tu-160M2 made its maiden flight in January 2022 and became the first new Tu-160 since the 1990s. As part of the program, the design documentation for the Tu-160M bomber was digitized under a government contract.

The strategic bomber has retained its appearance, but was created on a new technological basis. The bomber is being powered by a new series of NK-32 engines that will increase the range by a thousand kilometers.

The contract for the supply of ten Tu-160M bombers in the new Tu-160M modification with a total value of 160 billion rubles was signed on January 25, 2018.

Previously, the Russian Defense Ministry announced plans to order 50 such bombers.

The new aircraft will be deployed to the 22nd Guards Heavy Bomber Aviation Division at the Engels-2 military airbase in Saratov after tests.

In July 2023, the first modernized aircraft began its serviceability test flights. In January 2023, the second modernized Tu-160M joined these tests.

It is planned that all 16 strategic bombers in Russia’s arsenal will be deeply modernized.