The modernized Russian strategic bomber Tu-160M "White Swan" is capable of outrunning the American F-35 fighter at supersonic speed. Military analyst and air defense historian Yuri Knutov spoke about the capabilities of the updated machine.
According to the specialist, on afterburner, the "White Swan" is capable of "shaking off" the most modern NATO fighters.
It can practically outrun the F-35 at supersonic speed. The speed characteristics on afterburner of the Tu-160 are better than those of the F-35.
The historian added that Russia's most important achievement was the resumption of production of the Tu-160 from scratch, although many believed the technologies were irretrievably lost.
It was believed that the technologies were lost — they were restored. We have fully achieved import substitution. There are more powerful engines, control systems, and the latest electronics. This is a fundamentally different generation of aircraft.
The Tu-160M "White Swan" is capable of accelerating to 2200–2230 km/h (2.05–2.1 Mach), while the F-35 is limited to a speed of 1930 km/h (1.6 Mach).
The Russian Aerospace Forces are armed with at least 20 Tu-160 bombers as of the end of 2025. This assessment is put forward by foreign sources.