Tupolev Wins $103 Million Russian Weapons Upgrade Contract

Russia recently signed a $103 million contract with Tupolev design bureau in order to upgrade three Tu-160 Blackjack strategic bombers.

The delivery date for the supersonic, variable-geometry heavy bomber is December 31, 2015, the Tupolev said.

Last year, the Russian ministry had announced that 10 Russian Air Force’s Tu-160 bombers is to be modernized by 2020, after which the upgraded aircraft will remain in service until a new-generation strategic bomber known as PAK-DA is developed.

The Tu-160, which entered service in 1987 and remains the largest supersonic aircraft in the world, is designed to engage strategic targets with nuclear and conventional weapons.