Russia’s second Tu-160M strategic bomber has been sent to a flight test facility, while the third one is currently being built, a source in Russia’s defense industry has told TASS.

"The first plane [of this series] has already performed several flights. The second aircraft has been sent to a flight test facility, while the third Tu-160M is being assembled," the source told TASS on the sidelines of the Aero India 2023 exhibition in Bangalore, India.

In late 2022, the first Tupolev Tu-160M strategic missile-carrying bomber built anew completed factory tests. During its test flight, the strategic bomber conducted maneuvers to check the aircraft’s stability and control in the air, the working capacity of its airborne systems and engines, and the onboard radio-electronic equipment.