RuAviation

On December 17, 2025, Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov announced at a Ministry of Defense board meeting that two new Tu-160M strategic bombers would join the Long-Range Aviation (LRA) branch of the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) this year. These aircraft are newly built under the revived serial production program at the Kazan Aviation Plant named after S.P. Gorbunov, according to the Ministry of Defense press service.

The Tu-160M production program utilizes restored vacuum welding techniques for titanium structures and updated cooperation in subsystems and onboard electronic equipment. The first flight of a newly built prototype took place on February 2, 2020, with serial deliveries resuming from Kazan in 2022.

As of January 1, 2023, the Tu-160 fleet within Long-Range Aviation numbered sixteen aircraft, including units in various technical conditions, some undergoing maintenance or modernization. In February 2023, the Russian Aerospace Forces received the first four newly built Tu-160M bombers. With the addition of two aircraft delivered in 2025, the combined total of Tu-160 and Tu-160M aircraft now reaches at least twenty units.

The Tu-160M is powered by NK-32‑02 engines from UEC-Kuznetsov (Samara), offering improved fuel efficiency and thrust at cruise speeds and high-altitude regimes. Maximum speed at altitudes of 34,500–41,000 feet (10,500–12,500 m) increases from 1,370 mph (2,200 km/h) to 1,490 mph (2,400 km/h).

Upgraded avionics include the multi-mode Novella NV1.70 radar (Zaslon JSC), the multi-band Himalaya electronic warfare suite, the Redut-70M defensive system, and the NO-70M navigation system. The flight control and navigation suite integrates the secure S-505-70 communications system, ABSU-200MT autopilot, the strapdown inertial navigation system BINS-SP-1, astro-navigation system ANS-2009M, and the A737DP radio-navigation receiver.

In active operations, the Tu-160M functions exclusively as a platform for long-range cruise missiles, including the Kh-55, Kh-555, and Kh-101, with ranges of 1,550–1,550 miles (2,500 km) for the Kh-55/Kh-555 and over 3,100 miles (5,000+ km) for the Kh-101, depending on variant and flight profile.

At these ranges, the bomber operates outside adversary air defense and electronic warfare zones. The Tu-160M flies beyond enemy radar and radio-navigation coverage, relying on its missile payload deployed in internal rotary launchers for PVO/REW (air defense/electronic warfare) penetration.

The serial production of the Tu-160M ensures the operational capability and technical readiness of Russia’s Long-Range Aviation. The Tu-160M serves as an interim platform to modernize the bomber fleet until the completion and deployment of the PAK DA strategic bomber, which will initially complement and, in the longer term, eventually replace the Tu-160M.