Russia Revives Tu-160 "White Swan" Production Using Soviet Blueprints

Russia has successfully resumed production of Tu-160 "White Swan" strategic bombers, which Chinese journalists have called an incredible achievement. The Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) have been supplemented by two new "White Swans," although Western experts initially considered the project impossible.

Faster and Better Than Competitors

According to Chinese media, the Tu-160 remains an impressive aircraft. It is faster than the American F-35 and can compete with modern machines in many respects.

However, production faced serious problems—outdated blueprints, broken supply chains, and an embargo on electronics. The United States believed that reviving one of the world's most complex aircraft was practically impossible.

Achieving the Impossible

At the aviation plant in Kazan, engineers recreated the aircraft using yellowed archival drawings, 3D scanning, and digital modeling. New technological processes were introduced, and the restoration of the Tu-160 became not only the production of the aircraft but also the salvation of a number of industrial technologies.

Recently, the official delivery of two completely new Tu-160M bombers took place, which marked the success of Vladimir Putin's risky idea.

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Analysts added that the revival of the Tu-160 demonstrates the ability of Russian industry to overcome technological and logistical constraints, maintaining competitiveness in the strategic segment.

Despite its Soviet past, the bomber has not yet exhausted its potential for development, emphasized Andrey Zhukovsky, Associate Professor at the Department of Strategic and Innovative Development of the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation.

How Many Aircraft Are Available

The Aerospace Forces (VKS) of Russia have at least 20 Tu-160 bombers in service as of the end of 2025, according to foreign sources.

At the end of December 2025, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced the delivery of two "White Swans" from the Kazan Aviation Plant (part of the United Aircraft Corporation of Rostec).

The previous delivery of missile carriers took place in February 2024. However, it is not yet known whether it was about new Tu-160M2 aircraft or those that had undergone modernization with the designation Tu-160M.