A video made available by the Russian Ministry of Defence reveals that the country’s strategic bombers, the Tu-160, have been outfitted with new Kh-BD cruise missiles with a range of more than 6,500 km.
According to Sergey Kobylash, the Commander of Long-Range Aviation, the Kh-BD missiles have a range of more than 6,500 km.
He made this announcement while the Minister of Defence of Russia, Sergey Shoigu, and the leader of North Korea, Kim Jong Un, were inspecting an installation for firing missiles from a bomb bay on a Tu-160 aircraft that had open fuselage compartments.
At the Knevichi airfield in Vladivostok city, the Minister of Defence demonstrated the aeroplane with the newest missiles to the North Korean leader.
Kobylash specified that all of the aircraft that are on display at the airstrip are currently in use.
It was previously known that the Tu-160 was outfitted with Kh-101 cruise missiles, each with a maximum range of around 5,500 km.
The Tupolev Design Bureau worked during the 1970s and 1980s to build the Tu-160, a supersonic strategic bomber with a wing design with variable sweep. It is intended to use nuclear and conventional weapons to strike the most vital targets deep within the enemy’s territory. Because of its beautiful design, the Tu-160 is frequently referred to as the “White Swan” in Russia, although the name “Blackjack” is used to describe this aircraft by NATO.
Per President Vladimir Putin’s decision, work has begun on a programme to create an updated model of the Tu-160 aircraft that will be known as the Tu-160M. On January 12, 2022, the first experimental bomber completed its maiden flight. It has new weapon control systems, sophisticated weaponry, and electronic warfare systems, and its engines have been modified. Additionally, its onboard radio-electronic equipment and avionics have been brought up to date. July marked the beginning of the aircraft’s participation in the state joint testing programme being run by the Ministry of Defence and the developer.
Shoigu said last week that four Tu-160M strategic bombers would be delivered to the Russian armed forces before the end of the year.
