The Bear, the Swan and the Crouching Dragon

... has been signed for work to be done on 30 planes. The role played by strategic aviation in Russia’s policy is virtually the opposite to that of the Americans. The main difference is its precise specialisation in the deterrent nuclear function. Russian and Soviet strategic bombers have never been used in local wars. Moreover, the non-modernised Tu-95MS and Tu-160 are virtually incapable of using conventional weapons. Despite the fact that the emphasis in current modernisation programmes is on acquiring and expanding ...