China To Acquire Tu-22 Supersonic Bombers?
AIN Defense Perspective » January 4, 2013
The Russian Air Force still operates some Tu-22M3 supersonic bombers. Sources disagree on whether China could be acquiring some for maritime strike. (Photo: Vladimir Karnozov)
January 4, 2013, 10:20 AM
There is renewed speculation on unofficial Chinese websites that the country has closed a deal with Russia for licensed production of the Tupolev Tu-22M3 long-range supersonic bomber. But there has been no confirmation from Moscow or Beijing, and a senior military researcher in the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has discounted the speculation.
The latest reports suggest that 36 of the Cold War-vintage design could be produced for the Chinese naval air arm, where they would be designated “H-10” and used in the maritime strike role. They could be equipped with long-range air-to-surface missiles, either bought from Russia or made domestically. They would replace the fleet of H-6 bombers, which are Chinese-built versions of an even older Tupolev design, the Tu-16.
The latest reports suggest that 36 of the Cold War-vintage design could be produced for the Chinese naval air arm, where they would be designated “H-10” and used in the maritime strike role. They could be equipped with long-range air-to-surface missiles, either bought from Russia or made domestically. They would replace the fleet of H-6 bombers, which are Chinese-built versions of an even older Tupolev design, the Tu-16.
Ingen kommentarer:
Legg inn en kommentar
Merk: Bare medlemmer av denne bloggen kan legge inn en kommentar.