MOSCOW. Nov 17 (Interfax) - The fleet of Tu-22M3 strategic bombers will be modernized by 2018 and armed with X-32 heavy supersonic missiles, the Chair of the Federation Council Defense and Security Committee, Viktor Bondarev, told Interfax on Friday.
"There are plans to fully modernize the fleet of Tu-22M3 strategic bombers by 2018; this process has been very active. Their entire avionics is being modernized. Most importantly, these planes are being customized to carry modern X-32heavy supersonic missiles," Bondarev said.
Tu-22M3 planes have huge potential for modernization; this bomber, together with Tu-160 and Tu-95 aircraft, ensures the superiority of Russia's Long-Range Strategic Aviation, he said.
"Tu-22M3 planes are modern; they travel at a supersonic speed [2,300 kmph at altitude], climb to an altitude of 13 kilometers, and cover distances of 6,000 kilometers. They are multifunctional. They are maneuverable. They can deliver precision-guided strikes on both immobile and moving targets. They fire guided missiles and drop bombs. They also have a long range of operation," Bondarev said.
The bombers can operate in any weather, and an advanced targeting and navigation system supports their flights at night, he said.
"Tu-22M3 planes have proven their worth in Afghanistan, Chechnya, and the Georgia-Ossetia war. Syria filled out this victorious pleiad. In any event, the latest reports from Syrian battlefields suggest an imminent victory over the terrorists," Bondarev said.