Russia Moving Forward with New Bomber

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev reiterated Russia’s commitment to developing a fifth generation strategic bomber, reported UPI. Medvedev made the comments on June 9 while visiting aviation manufacturing facilities in Kazan, Russia, according to UPI’s June 12 report that cites Russia’s state-run news agency RIA Novosti. He said modernizing and maintaining Russia’s existing Tu-95MC and Tu-160 bombers to extend their service lives—instead of developing a new platform—simply wasn’t sufficient, according to UPI. Medvedev’s comments came just days after Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin expressed doubt over the viability of any new bomber in the face of modern air defenses, touching off a public disagreement with Russia’s top uniformed military officer, Gen. Nikolai Makarov. They also came just several days after RIA Novosti reported that Russia’s latest ballistic missile submarine, the Borey class Yury Dolgoruky, was poised to complete its initial sea trials.