Russia Inks Deal to Modernize Three Strategic Bombers

Global Security Newswire Staff

The Russian military has finalized a $103 million agreement with the Kazan Aircraft Plant and the Tupolev design office for the modernization of three long-range, nuclear-capable bombers, RIA Novosti reported on Friday.

Retrofits to the Tu-160 Blackjack heavy bombers are due to be finished by the end of 2015.

Separately, the new Borei-class SSBN Alexander Nevsky is anticipated to "conduct practical work" involving a Bulava ballistic missile sometime during the latter half of September, Interfax reported. The activity will not involve a trial launch of the SLBM, according to an unidentified Russian navy spokesman.