Putin’s flight on nuclear-capable bomber sends message to West
Russian leader Vladimir Putin flew on an upgraded Tu-160M bomber on Thursday, possibly to emphasize Russia’s nuclear strength to the West
Russian President Vladimir Putin took a flight on a modernized Tu-160M nuclear-capable strategic bomber on Thursday, likely intending to underscore Moscow’s nuclear capabilities to the Western world.
The massive swing-wing aircraft, known as “Blackjacks” by NATO, represents an updated iteration of a Cold War-era bomber that the former Soviet Union would have utilized for long-distance weapon delivery in the event of a nuclear conflict.
State television captured Putin descending a ladder from the aircraft post-flight, where he lauded its reliability and modern enhancements, expressing confidence in its acceptance by the Russian Air Force. Describing it as a novel and easily controllable machine, Putin emphasized its dependability.
This demonstration comes amidst strained relations between Moscow and the West due to Russia’s actions in Ukraine and the recent passing of opposition figure Alexei Navalny. Some diplomats from both Russia and the U.S. suggest that current tensions between the two major nuclear powers are unparalleled since the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962.
Footage aired on state TV showcased the “White Swans,” as Russia calls them, taking off and landing at a Kazan factory’s airstrip, where the modernized supersonic aircraft is manufactured. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov noted that the flight path of the plane is classified information. The flight, including Putin, lasted approximately 30 minutes, as reported by Russian news agencies.
Capable of carrying 12 cruise or short-range nuclear missiles, the Tu-160M can cover 12,000 kilometers (7,456.45 miles) without refueling, manned by a crew of four. Russia’s nuclear doctrine outlines the circumstances under which a Russian president might consider deploying a nuclear weapon, primarily in response to a nuclear or mass destruction weapon attack or if conventional arms pose a threat to the state’s existence.
Former President Dmitry Medvedev, now a deputy chairperson of Russia’s Security Council, has repeatedly cautioned about the potential for a nuclear confrontation with the West since Russia’s military involvement in Ukraine in 2022. However, Putin, as Russia’s armed forces commander-in-chief, stated in October that the nation’s existence was not in jeopardy and that rational individuals would not entertain the idea of using nuclear weapons against Russia.
Putin, aged 71, previously flew in an earlier version of the Tu-160 aircraft during a training exercise in 2005. A contract signed in 2018 stipulates the delivery of ten modernized Tu-160M nuclear bombers to the Russian Air Force by 2027, each costing 15 billion roubles (S$215 million). Tupolev, the aircraft’s manufacturer, asserts that the updated version boasts a 60% increase in effectiveness compared to its predecessor, with notable enhancements in weaponry, navigation, and avionics.
Source: Reuters
