Кара небесная: почему массовое производство Ту-22М3 остаётся недостижимым

The Tu-22M3 remains a key long-range bomber in the possession of the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS), but restoring mass production of the machine faces systemic obstacles — from the absence of serial engines and fuselages to shortages of components and personnel. This is in the material from "The First Technical".

Production Stopped

Serial assembly of the Tu-22M3 was completed in the mid-1990s. New fuselages are no longer produced, so any bombers are assembled either from remaining stocks or by modernizing old machines. The industry lacks a mass production line — this is the main economic and technical problem.

Engines and Key Assemblies

The main "bottleneck" is the NK series turbofan engines. Their serial production effectively stopped in the 1990s.

Restoring mass production is complicated by a shortage of technical bases and components, as well as irregular government orders — small batches make production expensive and lengthy. Defects and incidents in recent years further highlight the vulnerability of the supply chain.

Sanctions and Import Substitution

The departure of foreign suppliers and sanctions have limited access to important electronic components and materials. Manufacturers are forced to use outdated solutions or laboriously engage in import substitution, which slows down repair and modernization times. These restrictions also affect other strategic aircraft.

Personnel, Repair, and Disposal

A shortage of qualified engineers and workers, as well as the wear and tear and loss of machines in the theater of operations, lead to "cannibalization" of the fleet — aircraft are disassembled for spare parts to maintain the airworthiness of others. This makes restoring the number of aircraft even less likely.

Armament Restrictions

Even with a fuselage and engine, the problem of outdated missiles and control systems remains. Combining old fuselages with new systems requires coordination of many suppliers and lengthy modernization.

Mass production and restoration of the Tu-22M3 run into a combination of problems — the absence of serial fuselages, shortages and defects in engines, sanctions and limited supplies of components, personnel and organizational challenges. Without a systemic industrial program — large-scale orders, investments in engine production, and stable logistics — a quick "reboot" of the line is impossible.

Earlier www1.ru reported that the cost of one Iskander-M missile has become known.