3 June 2017, 14:58 GMT
ZHUKOVSKY (Sputnik) – The Russian Defense Ministry is planning to buy some 50 modernized Tu-160 bombers the serial production of which will begin in 2012, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov said Tuesday.
"The serial production of three or four planes a year will begin in 2021. We intend to buy around 50 planes of this brand," Borisov told reporters.
The Tu-160, one of Russia’s most formidable weapons, is a supersonic variable-sweep wing heavy strategic bomber/missile carrier.
It is designed to engage targets around the globe with nuclear and conventional weapons.
Tu-160 bombers have participated in Russia's campaign against terrorists in Syria.
