Russian air forces to purchase at least 50 new Tu-160M strategic bombers. Production of Tu-160 is being resumed, Commander-in-Chief of Russian air forces, Colonel-General Viktor Bondarev, said, Interfax reports.

“In order to cover the expenses at least 50 aircraft of the type will be purchased,” Bondarev said. He reminded that the Minister of Defense made the decision to resume production of Tu-160M aircraft. “The industry confirmed its capabilities, which is very important. The jet’s production will be resumed,” the Commander-in-Chief noted.

At that, he stated that development of the next-generation strategic bomber would be carried out in parallel with the production of new Tu-160 jets.

Moreover, Bondarev said that deliveries of the fifth-generation fighters to Russian air forces would be started in 2016. “Deliveries of the fifth-generation fighters will be started next year. We are completing testing of the aircraft; its mass production will be started in 2017,” he said.

According to him, the armed forces are going to purchase as many aircraft of the type as the industry can produce. “We are going to purchase as many vehicles as they can manufacture; they produce four ones – we purchase four jets, they produce 10 ones – we purchase 10 fighters,” the Commander-in-Chief said.