TUPOLEV TU-160M STRATEGIC MISSILE BOMBER

TUPOLEV TU-160M STRATEGIC MISSILE BOMBER

Context:

Amid tensions with Ukraine at the border, Russia unveiled a new Tupolev Tu-160M ​​strategic missile bomber nicknamed the 'White Swan'.

Key Points:

• The 'White Swan' bomber had its first flight from Kazan Aviation Enterprise.
• It is a Russian supersonic variable-sweep wing strategic missile-carrying bomber.
• The aircraft flew at 600 meters for 30 minutes.
• This bomber can carry around 34 tonnes of load.
• It can deliver 24 cruise missiles and can trace 14,000 km without refueling.
• It is designed to strike targets in remote areas with nuclear and conventional weapons.

Significance of the launch of White Swan:

• Russia's military announcement of a new bomber comes amid mounting tensions between the US and NATO over Russia's military intervention in Ukraine after Moscow rounded up nearly 100,000 troops near the Kyiv border.
• The US and Russia began talks in Geneva on 10 January 2022 to avoid a crisis in Ukraine but have not yet achieved any tangible results.

America's take:

• Meanwhile, the American democracy has prepared a bill that will impose further sanctions on the Russian government and military officials, including President Vladimir Putin, if Moscow takes any aggressive action against Ukraine.

NATO's take:

• NATO also spoke with Russia about Ukraine, hoping to negotiate an arms embargo and a missile launch but strongly opposed Moscow's decision to block Ukraine's desire to join the alliance.