Russia to produce new Tu strategic bomber by 2017
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Russian aircraft manufacturer Tupolev said on Wednesday a new-generation of Tu strategic bomber would be developed by 2017.
The company's President Alexander Bobryshev said the draft of the new airplane would be finished by 2012.
The new bomber would replace the Russian Air Force's Tu-160 strategic bomber in 2020 to 2025, he said.
Bobryshev also said his company plans to upgrade three kinds of aircraft that are currently in service with Russia's long-range aviation, including Tu-95MS, Tu-160, and Tu-22M3.
The Russian Air Force has been equipped with 40 Tu-95MS bombers, 141 Tu-22M3 bombers, and 16 Tu-160 bombers, according to the RIA Novosti news agency.
These aircraft will form the backbone of the Russian strategic aviation in the next decade following extensive modernization.
