Tu-160, Tu-95MS, and Tu-22M3: Named Aircraft Guarding Russian Borders

Russia Celebrates Long-Range Aviation Day of the Russian Aerospace Forces

The Long-Range Aviation fleet of the Russian Aerospace Forces is being replenished with modernized combat aircraft. Critical equipment is being replaced on them, which makes it possible to increase the accuracy of the use of weapons, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported.

The aircraft that have undergone modernization have had their existing equipment replaced with modern digital counterparts.
Press Service of the Ministry of Defense of Russia

The updated aircraft have become more reliable and have also received additional functions, including for the operational control system.

What aircraft are in service with the Long-Range Aviation of the Russian Aerospace Forces:

  • strategic missile carriers Tu-160
  • strategic missile carriers Tu-95MS
  • aviation missile system MiG-31I
  • long-range bombers Tu-22M3
  • Il-78 tanker aircraft
  • training and transport aircraft

In 2025, the aircraft of the Long-Range Aviation of the Russian Aerospace Forces performed air patrol tasks over the Baltic, Pacific Ocean, Yellow, Barents, Japanese and other seas.

Russia celebrates 111 years of Long-Range Aviation on December 23, which is included in the nuclear triad. You can learn about its history at the aviation museum in Ryazan.

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