MOSCOW. March 5 (Interfax-AVN) - The ongoing modernization of long-range aircraft will considerably expand their PGM capability.
"At the present time the TU-95MS Bear and the TU-160 Blackjack bombers are being upgraded, with their PGM and multi- role conventional cruise missile capabilities to be expanded," Air Force Commander-in-Chief Vladimir Mikhailov told Interfax- Military News Agency on Friday.
"The TU-22M3 Backfire aircraft are also expected to be upgraded in the near future in order to improve their missile/bomb capabilities," he said.
Mikhailov also said that the modernization of SU- and MIG- family tactical aircraft was aimed at improving their flight characteristics and increasing the accuracy of both free-fall and guided air-to-air and air-to-surface munitions.
"Fighter aviation is also undergoing comprehensive modernization. The fleet of SU-27 Flanker aircraft is being upgraded. The 237th Demonstration Center, based in Kubinka outside Moscow, has been equipped with the SU-27M aircraft, while the 4th Flight Personnel Combat and Conversion Training Center, based in Lipetsk, has been fitted with the SU-27SM aircraft. MIG- 29 Fulcrum and MIG-29SMT fighters are also being upgraded," the Air Force commander-in-chief said.