In what could be a major boost to Bharat’s defence capabilities, Russia has offered New Delhi its advanced strategic bombers.
Moscow has offered to supply Bharat with even the advanced Tu-160M-White Swan in its renewed offer. This proposal comes nearly two decades after an earlier offer of the Tu-22M3 to the Indian Navy that was made nearly two decades back. The deal, however, did not go through at that time due to cost concerns raised by New Delhi.
This offer, if accepted, could boost Bharat’s capabilities to a great deal. The acquisition of the Tu-160M would be significant due to its long-range strike capabilities, which would prove to be a strong deterrent across the Indo-Pacific region.
What makes it even deadlier is its nuclear-capable missile capabilities, which could reinforce India’s nuclear triad. This would complement Bharat’s existing land and sea-based nuclear forces.
Acquiring the Tu-160M would signal a strategic shift for the Indian Air Force (IAF), which has largely focused on multirole fighters rather than dedicated heavy bombers. However, integrating the Tu-160M into its fleet would require considerable investment, which includes infrastructure upgrades and specialised training for pilots and crew apart from modification to airbases which are capable of supporting such a large aircraft. Before accepting the offer, Bharat would also consider the high acquisition and operational costs of the Tu-160M.
If acquired, it would significantly boost defence capabilities considering the fact that the Chinese and Pakistanis share a border with Bharat. The Tu-160M is a strategic bomber with enhanced avionics, navigation systems, and weaponry.
Its manufacturer, Tupolev, says that the Tu-160M is around 6 per cent more effective than the original model. It has an impressive range of 12,000 kilometres without refuelling. It also has the capability of carrying 12 long-range cruise or nuclear-capable short-range missiles. This means that it would bring more strategic reach. Each unit is tied to around 160 million dollars.
More about the Tupolev Tu-160M
The Tupolev Tu-160M, which was designed during the Soviet era in the 1970s, is still the largest and heaviest combat aircraft in the world. It is capable of flying at supersonic speeds, which makes it extremely fast and powerful.
The bomber is referred to as White Swan in Russia, and NATO has codenamed it Blackjacks. With complex borders, the bomber would be of great importance for Bharat as it is capable of hitting targets in remote areas with both nuclear and conventional weapons.
The supersonic variable-sweep wing strategic missiles-carrying bomber has a crew of four and is capable of carrying 12 cruise missiles or 12 short-range nuclear missiles. Further, it can fly 12,000 kilometres non-stop without refuelling. Powered by four after-burning turbo fans, the bombers fly at a maximum speed of 2,200 kilometres per hour and ascend to heights of 16,000 metres.
What the IAF would consider
The decision on whether or not to acquire the Tupolev Tu-160M would largely hinge on a careful evaluation of how well it aligns with its operational doctrine and strategic objectives. Cost would also be another factor in addition to logistics, maintenance and the bomber’s impact on the current force structure.
Further, the IAF would also assess whether the Tu-160M’s capabilities justify the significant resources required to integrate it into its defence strategy.
The Tu-160M would also require substantial investment in infrastructure such as fortified hangars and extended runways and also training programmes for pilots and the crew. The airbases also would have to be modified to accommodate the bomber.
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