Another Tupolev Tu-160M strategic missile-carrying bomber took to the skies for the first time after its upgrade, Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) reported on Monday.

"Another upgraded Tu-160M strategic missile-carrying bomber developed by the Tupolev Company (part of the UAC within the state tech corporation Rostec) performed its debut flight," the UAC press office said in a statement.

During the flight, the bomber’s pilots performed maneuvers to check the aircraft’s stability and control in the air, the operating capacity of its systems and engines and onboard radio-electronic equipment, it said.