Our Take
Another example of Russia emphasizing the modernization of its strategic platforms.
The upgrade of the Tu-160 (NATO reporting name: Blackjack) strategic bomber fleet to Tu-160M2 standard is ahead of schedule, expert Vladimir Tuchkov writes in an article on the Svobodnaya Pressa news portal. Russian Aerospace Force Commander-in-Chief Colonel General Victor Bondarev has said the maiden flight of the Tu-160M2 is slated for 2018.