Posted on 03/01/2010 10:53:06 PM PST by ErnstStavroBlofeld
Once it has completed work on its own fifth-generation fighter, Russia must proceed with designing a brand-new nuclear-capable strategic bomber, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said on Monday.
"Certainly, we should not confine ourselves to developing just one new model. After the fifth-generation fighter jet, we must think and get down to work on a next-generation, long-range aviation complex -- our new strategic missile carrier," Putin told a cabinet meeting on Russia's military-industrial complex. After the demise of the Soviet Union, Russia inherited a fleet of the still formidable but fast-aging Tupolev Tu-95MS turbo-prop strategic bombers and missile platforms codenamed "Bears" by NATO.
It also has a much smaller fleet of the more modern, supersonic Tupolev Tu-160 "Blackjack" jet bombers, the world's biggest warplanes built so far.
Russia test-flew its long-awaited stealth fighter at the end of January, presenting it as Moscow's first all-new warplane since the 1991 Soviet collapse and a challenge to the technological supremacy of Cold War foe the United States which rolled out its fifth-generation fighter more than a decade ago.
Putin, then president, ordered in 2007 to resume Soviet-style patrols of Russian bombers around the globe, seeing it as a way of boosting Moscow's stature in the world.
(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...
mhmm, how ya like us now Europe?
Now that we unilaterally disarming the Ruskies can have their shot at taking us out.
I never liked Europe. I have been there and not impressed
Two evil bastards!
If we are going to survive the cold war redux, we’ll need Europe on board to some extent. When the dark cloud of soviet communism lingered over their daily lives, Europeans were much more...friendly towards America. What’s more, it was much easier to export our special wares in that climate.
Forget Western Europe. They are already asking for the removal of our B-61 bombs. You will get more traction with Eastern Europe. They do not communism and the Russian influence that comes along with it.
I tend to agree although I like to think that western Europe isn’t a total loss just yet but the longer this game goes on, the more they seem to slip away. It’s like watching a train wreck in slow motion.
I agree.It is like watching a slow train wreck and we are allowing it to happen.
Heh-Heh
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