MOSCOW, December 12 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's Air Force will
continue to upgrade and modernize its assets, but it has enough
aircraft to carry out strategic missions, the commander-in-chief of
Strategic Bomber Aviation said Tuesday.
"We have enough aircraft to carry out the missions entrusted to
Strategic Bomber Aviation and to meet existing threats," Lt. Gen.
Igor Khvorov said.
He said the Tu-160 Blackjack strategic bomber, which first took to
the skies December 19, 1981, will continue to be the mainstay of
Strategic Bomber Aviation.
"Heavy aircraft are designed for the long term, so this airplane
will meet all the necessary requirements for at least another 30
years," he said, adding that a modernized version will soon be
available.
Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said in July that Russia's Air Force
has commissioned a modernized Tu-160 Blackjack strategic bomber and
could receive the new airplane by the end of the year.
He said the modernized bomber demonstrates Russia's increased
defense capabilities, and the new weaponry and avionics installed
on the aircraft will allow the country to look to the future with
confidence and a sense of security.
http://en.rian.ru/russia/20061212/56823656.html
