Syria getting Iskander-E, S-300PMU2, Tor-M1

[Kazuaki Shimazaki]

They've outright refused to sell Tu-22M3s to China in the past, I don't see why they'd start now- I think it was just idle-talk in the context of the joint exercise they're holding.

To be fair, in terms of threat potential, the supersonic Backfire does provide the Chinese a whole new ability they didn't have previously. It is understandable they'd hesitate before selling them. For the Bears, if the Chinese are paying me 50 mil+ for each of those 1960s knockoffs so they can bug the Americans in the Pacific, I'm all for it. I can use the money to buy my pilots a few more flying hours, or for a few more test flights of a fighter (which I can sell to the Third World for more money: oh, how I wish Putin or someone would get my country in order so I don't have to scrounge!)

I'm unsure if the upgrade for the Tu-22M3 has started, I don't think it has. Tu-95MS has, of course (Tu-95MSM) and the first upgraded Tu-160 is being delivered this year (a new-build model upgraded before entering service) along with a standard version.

They are still building standard versions? I know the upgraded version costs more, but in these cash-strapped times, isn't it better to save up for the upgraded plane?

[Chmee]

They've outright refused to sell Tu-22M3s to China in the past, I don't see why they'd start now- I think it was just idle-talk in the context of the joint exercise they're holding.

To be fair, in terms of threat potential, the supersonic Backfire does provide the Chinese a whole new ability they didn't have previously. It is understandable they'd hesitate before selling them. For the Bears, if the Chinese are paying me 50 mil+ for each of those 1960s knockoffs so they can bug the Americans in the Pacific, I'm all for it. I can use the money to buy my pilots a few more flying hours, or for a few more test flights of a fighter <snip>

Or, being Russia, an extra waterfront dacha and another few cases of Stoli and caviar.

[Vympel]

For the Bears, if the Chinese are paying me 50 mil+ for each of those 1960s knockoffs so they can bug the Americans in the Pacific

Don't let their looks deceive you- the Tu-95MS6 and MS16 are very capable aircraft- and besides, they were all built from 1980 onwards and are expected to stay in service for at least two more decades. I don't see how the Bears can bug them in the Pacific though, if they were Tu-142s, then yeah, but Tu-95MS' are pure ALCM carriers. They'd have to make serious modifications (though in upgraded form they can carry CALCMs as well as provision for guided iron bombs, apparently).

They are still building standard versions? I know the upgraded version costs more, but in these cash-strapped times, isn't it better to save up for the upgraded plane?

They're "new" in the sense that several stayed in the factory at Kazan, incomplete, when Russia ran out of money to build them. They found the money and are finishing them off- these two being delivered this year are the last two from that batch. All Tu-160s will eventually be upgraded though, including the 8 they got from Ukraine.

[Sea Skimmer]

Don't let their looks deceive you- the Tu-95MS6 and MS16 are very capable aircraft- and besides, they were all built from 1980 onwards and are expected to stay in service for at least two more decades. I don't see how the Bears can bug them in the Pacific though, if they were Tu-142s, then yeah, but Tu-95MS' are pure ALCM carriers. They'd have to make serious modifications (though in upgraded form they can carry CALCMs as well as provision for guided iron bombs, apparently).

Even as mere cruise missile carriers, they present a far more effective way of striking at, or more realistically simply holding at risk, US facilities in the eastern Pacific. There existing Badgers could actually get so far as the Seattle area with in flight refueling, but a Bear is a far longer range beast, and if they are intercepted by fighters, the inferior performance really isn't going to matter.

Funny how Chinese Megafortress bombers would have made for such a more interesting plotline for comrade Dale brown.

[Kazuaki Shimazaki]

Don't let their looks deceive you- the Tu-95MS6 and MS16 are very capable aircraft- and besides, they were all built from 1980 onwards and are expected to stay in service for at least two more decades.

I know they supposedly restarted the line in the 80s to bring out these cruise missile carriers, but the Tu-95 as a airframe still dates back to somewhere comparable to the B-52.

As for their abilities, I see they have a nice MAWS and a Meteor-NM ECM suite. But the plane doesn't have terrain following. It isn't fast; it isn't low-flying, it definitely isn't stealth...

I don't see how the Bears can bug them in the Pacific though, if they were Tu-142s, then yeah, but Tu-95MS' are pure ALCM carriers. They'd have to make serious modifications (though in upgraded form they can carry CALCMs as well as provision for guided iron bombs, apparently).

Well, they now have a long-range platform, which they didn't have before. Even if the Obzor radar didn't incorporate a sea-search mode (no idea if they did or not), it won't be long before they find a suitable maritime search radar and slap it on. They only got an entire series of older Bears like the K-22 and K-20 variants to steal ideas from. If they are cheap, they could just import one of 'em Rubin variants from Russia (if they can give out Obzor, they can give out a Rubin).

As for threatening America in any way; I really don't think the Russians particularly mind that. They might mind the American retaliation against them because they helped the Chinese threaten the Yanks. But mind the Chinese bothering America? Doubt it.

[Vympel]

As for their abilities, I see they have a nice MAWS and a Meteor-NM ECM suite. But the plane doesn't have terrain following. It isn't fast; it isn't low-flying, it definitely isn't stealth...

Doesn't really need it, since it carries a shitload of ALCMs It's the Russians B-52, only not nearly as ancient (in terms of actual airframe life, rather than design) and only just being upgraded to do what the B-52 is prized for (dropping a LOT of bombs, including guided ones, and launching CALCMs).

Well, they now have a long-range platform, which they didn't have before. Even if the Obzor radar didn't incorporate a sea-search mode (no idea if they did or not), it won't be long before they find a suitable maritime search radar and slap it on. They only got an entire series of older Bears like the K-22 and K-20 variants to steal ideas from. If they are cheap, they could just import one of 'em Rubin variants from Russia (if they can give out Obzor, they can give out a Rubin).

I see no reason for them to incorporate sea-search into Obzor- it's purely for assisting in ALCM launch. But if the Chinese want Tu-142s, why not just buy them instead? The Russians have already got an upgrade program for them anyway.