Real Production of Tu-160 "Swan": 3 Aircraft per Year Instead of 50

Why Zyuganov's Statement About the Production of 50 Bombers per Year in the USSR Was Wrong

Deputy Gennady Zyuganov stated that in Soviet times, 50 Tu-160 "White Swan" strategic bombers were built per year. However,real data indicates completely different production scales.

In the past, the Kazan plant assembled 50 Tu-160 aircraft per year, along with Il-62s. That was before, but now the plant mainly repairs aircraft. Well, at least they preserved this machine, and it is on combat duty and is our pride.

Gennady Zyuganov, Deputy

In the USSR, serial production of strategic missile carriers began in 1984 at the Kazan Aviation Plant (KAZ, now part of the United Aircraft Corporation of Rostec).

Before the collapse of the Union, that is, before 1991, 24 serial aircraft were built. Thus, the average annual output was about three machines, not fifty, as the leader of the political party claimed.

Production After the Collapse of the USSR

In the post-Soviet era, Russia assembled another 12 Tu-160 bombers. Another 10 machines were inherited from the USSR. In the 1990s, the program effectively froze: the economy was in crisis, and some of the aircraft were disposed of under an agreement with the United States.

Modern Modifications

In recent years, three deeply modernized Tu-160M2 aircraft have entered service. Only the airframe remains from the original Soviet project - the engines, avionics, and control systems are completely new.

Mass production of these "strategists" currently amounts to two to three units per year, which roughly corresponds to the level of the late USSR.

In total, throughout history - from 1984 to the present day - 36 serial Tu-160s have been built. The statement about "50 aircraft per year" is not supported by any real data.

In February 2024, during the visit of the President of Russia to (KAZ, it was announced that the enterprise until 2027 inclusive shouldproduce 10 new Tu-160M2s. Also, no one has removed the issue of modernizing previously produced machines to the Tu-160M version.

Earlier www1.ru reported that "Kinzhal" missiles can be integrated into Su-57 fighters.