The production of the prospective long-range bomber (PAK DA) in Russia appears to be delayed. This was stated by military expert Dmitry Stefanovich, a research fellow at the Center for International Security at IMEMO RAS.
He pointed out that long-range missile carriers are a crucial element of Russia's nuclear triad.
The prospective bomber is apparently being delayed, but the production of the Tu-160 model is being restored, and the Tu-95s are being modernized.
Stefanovich added that the Kh-101 cruise missiles for the "White Swans" are the most advanced strategic cruise missiles in the world with an incredible range.
This is the only strategic aviation in the world that operates in an environment close to combat.
Military expert Dmitry Kornev noted that a new engine would need to be created for the PAK DA, which is not yet even in development.
It should be noted that there is no fresh news about the development of PAK DA yet. In the fall of 2022, the defense industry complex stated that several prototypes of an unknown engine for PAK DA had already passed part of the bench tests.
Based on their results, the defense industry complex concluded that the engine confirms the parameters laid down in it, but no other information was received.
Earlier, www1.ru reported that the frigate "Admiral Golovko" launched a hypersonic "Zircon" in the Barents Sea with guidance from a Tu-142.