Latest news with #Tu-160
Time of India
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
US has B-2 bomber, China has H-6: Where is India's long-range bomber in this strategic race for air dominance?
The recent US airstrike on Iranian nuclear sites using its B-2 Spirit stealth bomber has sparked fresh debate in India's defence circles. As images of the long-range American bomber surfaced following the mission, questions emerged over India's own capability gap in strategic airpower. With no dedicated bomber in service, India continues to rely on multirole fighters to fulfil its air-based nuclear and long-range strike roles — a limitation some experts believe must now be addressed. A missing piece in India's nuclear triad India has already established the land and sea legs of its nuclear triad. However, the air-based component remains dependent on fighter aircraft with limited range and payload. Strategic analysts now argue that the absence of a long-range bomber constrains India's deterrence and deep-strike options in a changing security environment. What strategic bombers do Strategic bombers are aircraft designed to carry large payloads — including nuclear weapons — across long distances to strike strategic enemy targets. Unlike tactical aircraft used in short-range battles, bombers provide reach, endurance, and visible deterrence. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Examples include: B-2 Spirit (USA): A stealth subsonic bomber with a range of over 11,000 km and 18-tonne payload. Live Events Tu-160 'Blackjack' (Russia): A supersonic bomber with a 12,300 km range and 40-tonne payload capacity. China's expanding bomber fleet China has steadily grown its long-range strike capabilities through the H-6 bomber series, based on the Soviet Tu-16. The latest H-6K variant can carry nuclear cruise missiles with a combat radius of 3,500 km and a payload of 12 tonnes. China reportedly operates over 230 H-6 variants. Its upcoming H-20 bomber is expected to be stealthy, intercontinental, and capable of deep-penetration strikes — a development that could shift the regional balance further. India's past and current bomber gap India retired its last bomber, the English Electric Canberra, in 2007. Since then, the country has used fighters for air-launched nuclear and strike missions — platforms not designed for intercontinental operations. Key limitations of India's fighter fleet include: Su-30MKI: Range ~3,000 km, payload ~8 tonnes; lacks stealth. Rafale: Range ~3,700 km, payload 9.5 tonnes; limited numbers. Mirage 2000H, Tejas Mk1, Jaguar: All fall short in range, payload, and survivability. India's past bomber considerations India considered strategic bombers in the past. In 1971, the Soviet Union offered Tu-22 bombers, even painting them in IAF colours, but India declined due to operational challenges. In the 2000s, the Navy explored acquiring Tu-22M bombers, and more recently, reports in 2022 suggested India was discussing a Tu-160 acquisition from Russia — a claim reportedly confirmed by former Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha. There were also unverified reports of interest in the US B-1B Lancer . A retired senior IAF officer noted, 'India would need at least 20 strategic bombers over the next decade to ensure adequate reach and deterrence capability across both western and eastern fronts.' Arguments for and against bombers In favour: Enhances second-strike capability in the nuclear triad. Reaches deep strategic targets. Expands maritime strike ability. Demonstrates visible power during crises. Counters China's bomber advancements. Against: High costs and infrastructure needs. India's nuclear doctrine favours minimal deterrence. Competing budget priorities in fighter and transport aircraft procurement. Missiles can already perform many strategic missions. Geographic limitations complicate basing and flight paths. The US B-2 bomber 's use in Iran has reignited India's debate on whether it should develop or acquire strategic bombers. With China advancing its bomber fleet and regional threats evolving, India must evaluate whether adding a long-range bomber force fits its defence doctrine — or stretches its resources beyond current strategic needs.
India.com
20-06-2025
- Politics
- India.com
Lightning like speed, power, destruction, White Swan wreaks havoc on enemies, it is called the 'emperor of the sky' due to..., developed by...
(Images: Wikimedia Commons) New Delhi: Russian President Vladimir Putin is yet to recover from the sense of defeat suffered by his military at the hands of Ukraine through Operation Spider's Web. That is why he is now deploying one killer weapon after another to protect his borders. A deadly supersonic bomber has now been added to Russia's weapons display, whose name makes even NATO countries sweat. Tu-160 bomber deployed at Anadyr airbase near Alaska, US Recently it was claimed that Russia has deployed its nuclear-capable Tu-160 supersonic bomber at Anadyr airbase near Alaska, far from the Ukrainian border. Ukrainian defense analysis website Defense Express claimed on June 4, based on satellite images of the European Space Agency, that Tu-160 has been seen at Anadyr airbase in Chukotka region. However, this has not been confirmed yet. Let us tell you that this bomber is called 'White Swan' in the Russian army, which in local parlance means destruction. White Swan unleashes destruction on enemy The Tu-160 is called 'White Swan' in Russia and 'Blackjack' in NATO. It is the world's heaviest and fastest supersonic bomber aircraft. It was built in the 1970s during the Soviet Union era. However, it has been updated for modern wars and is an important part of Russia's nuclear triad. Features of White Swan This bomber was designed in the 1970s in response to the American B-1 Lancer. Its length is 54 meters, while the wingspan goes up to 55.7 meters (at full extension). The engine of this bomber is 4 powerful NK-32 turbofans. Each one gives more than 25 tons of thrust. Its maximum speed is Mach 2.2 (2695 kmh) i.e. 2.2 times faster than sound. Its flying range is more than 12,300 km (without refueling). Its biggest feature is its variable geometry wings, which can change the angle according to the speed and distance of flight. It is a craft with heavy weapon capacity. It can be equipped with nuclear and conventional missiles. Ukraine on high alert The long range and heavy weapon capacity of the Tu-160 i.e. White Swan makes it perfect for Arctic patrols and operations near NATO borders. It is a symbol of Russia's military power. On Friday, 20 June 2025, Kiev's/Kyiv's air force claimed that Russia attacked with missiles and drones overnight using the Tu-160. In total, more than 400 drones, 6 ballistic missiles and 38 cruise missiles were fired. Operation Spider's Web angered Putin Ukraine's undercover Operation Spider's Web led to huge loss for Russian military. The FPV drones were smuggled into civilian trucks and transported to several airbases deep inside Russia and then carried out a surprise attack. The attack targeted Russia's Tu-95, Tu-22M3 and A-50 aircraft, which were valuable and scarce. The headquarter of this operation was located near a regional headquarter of Russia's domestic security agency FSB.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Russia reportedly redeploys bombers to Far East bases after Ukraine's Operation Spiderweb
Russia has redeployed dozens of long-range bombers to more remote bases within the country, Russian independent media outlet Agentstvo reported on June 11, citing OSINT analyst AviVector. The relocation comes in the wake of Ukraine's Operation Spiderweb, the unprecedented mass drone strike on June 1 that targeted four Russian air bases deep inside the country. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said 117 drones were launched from hidden positions across Russia, damaging 41 aircraft, including Tu-95, Tu-22M3, and Tu-160 bombers. According to Agentstvo, all Tu-160 bombers have been evacuated from Belaya airfield in Irkutsk Oblast and Olenya airfield in Murmansk Oblast. Some were relocated to Anadyr in Chukotka, Yelizovo in Kamchatka, and Borisoglebskoye in Tatarstan. Tu-22M3 and Tu-95MS bombers were also redeployed. Eleven Tu-22M3s and all Tu-95MS aircraft near Murmansk reportedly relocated to the Ukrainka airfield in Amur Oblast, Engels-2 in Saratov Oblast, Borisoglebskoye in Tatarstan, and Mozdok in North Ossetia. The reported relocation of bombers is the latest sign that Ukraine's drone warfare is forcing the Kremlin to rethink its strategic posture, even far from the front lines. Western analysts and military officials praised Ukraine's ingenuity in the Spiderweb operation. NATO Admiral Pierre Vandier called the mission a modern reinvention of the "Trojan Horse," demonstrating Ukraine's growing technical sophistication and deep-strike capability. President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed that roughly half of the targeted aircraft are damaged beyond repair. Russia has acknowledged losses but insisted all damaged aircraft will be restored. We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Russia sends its most valuable planes as far away from Ukraine as possible
Russia has scattered its most valuable warplanes to a remote airbase in the far east of the country, after a surprise Ukrainian drone attack devastated its strategic bomber fleet last Sunday. Two Tupolev Tu-160 planes have been moved 4,000 miles from the front lines to the remote Anadyr airbase, which can only be accessed by air and sea, satellite imagery showed. Located on the desolate Chukotka Peninsula, the airfield is around 410 miles from Alaska and was set up during the Cold War to defend Russia from potential US attacks. The supersonic Tu-160 bombers can carry nuclear weapons and are by far the most expensive in Russia's inventory, with a price tag of around $500 million per unit. By comparison, the B-52 Stratofortress, the mainstay of the US's bomber fleet, has an estimated value of roughly $94 million. In addition to being expensive, Tu-160s are rare. Russia is thought to have only 16 operational airframes, and Ukraine said it damaged some in last Sunday's attacks. Prof Justin Bronk, a senior research fellow for air power at the Royal United Services Institute, told the i newspaper that imagery from the Anadyr base could suggest Moscow was trying to reduce the risk of more drone attacks. Dubbed 'Operation Spider's Web', the June 1 strikes were the result of 18 months of meticulous planning by Ukraine's security service (SBU), which on Wednesday released a video detailing how the strikes played out. Agents smuggled 'cheap drones' into Russia, 'right under the nose' of the Russian security agency, captions from the video read. These drones were placed inside modified wooden cabins mounted on the back of lorries, then driven to locations near their targets by drivers who were seemingly unaware of their cargo. Once near the airbases, the cabins released the drones to attack aircraft on the bases. 'Everything was planned down to the second,' the video explained. 'It happened simultaneously in three different time zones, involving 117 drones.' 'The SBU's web was to entangle all of Russia,' it said. The SBU planned to attack five airfields, although only four were hit, as drones exploded prematurely while en route to a base in Russia's far east. Admiral Pierre Vandier, Nato's Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, lauded the operation, saying it was a reinvention of the 'Trojan horse method', with new 'technical and industrial creativity'. Sergei Ryabkov, Russia's deputy foreign minister, on Wednesday said Moscow's nuclear deterrence 'has not suffered significant damage', and that the affected equipment 'can and will be restored'. Experts, however, said it would take years for Russia to recover from the assault, which Ukrainian officials estimated caused $7 billion worth of damage. Several Tu-95 and Tu-22 bombers are believed to have been destroyed in the operation. Kyiv said last week that Russia had used a Tu-160 to launch a cruise strike against Ukraine. It claimed this indicated a shortage of Tu-95s and Tu-22s, as Moscow usually uses these older models for strikes rather than the more expensive and scarce Tu-160. Both the Tu-95 and Tu-22 are no longer produced. Russia does assemble new Tu-160s, however only two are thought to have been completed since 2022. Though the Tu-160 is a Soviet-era design, in 2018 the Russian ministry of defence ordered 10 new airframes at a cost of 160 billion roubles. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Russia's Revenge To Go Nuclear? Putin's STUNNING Tu-160 Order; ‘Bombers Reach Near US…'
Russia has deployed two Tu-160 strategic bombers to the Anadyr airbase, just 410 miles from Alaska, in what appears to be a bold escalation near the U.S. border. Satellite imagery confirms the bombers' presence at the remote Chukotka base—a Cold War-era stronghold now revived for modern strategic use. This move follows Ukraine's massive drone strikes on Russian airbases during Operation Spiderweb, prompting speculation about a broader Russian response. With talk of Russia preparing for a wider war, some now ask: Is this deployment intended to avenge the provocative attacks on a larger scale? Read More
