Military Watch: Russians acquire upgraded Tu-95MSM

Russian designers have created a new version of the turboprop strategic bomber-missile carrier Tu-95MSM, which reflects the combat experience of the Air Defense Forces in Ukraine. This was reported yesterday by the Military Watch publication, which provided details of what is happening.

The publication notes that the very first (original) Tu-95 took to the skies in 1952, when the war on the Korean Peninsula was raging. It was accepted into service by the USSR Air Force in 1956. All "strategists" in service with the Russian Aerospace Forces were manufactured in 1982-1993 and were intended for launching cruise missiles, not for dropping aerial bombs. The Tu-95MS modification was launched into serial production in 1981.



The development and implementation of modernization packages for the Tu-95MSM began in 2009. Initially, the issue concerned NK-12MPM turboprop engines, new propellers to increase the payload and range of ammunition. The combat load of the "strategist" increased by 2 times and ensured compatibility with the Kh-101/2 cruise missile. The wings were also strengthened, new sensors and data displays were installed. But this was only the beginning.

The first time the experimental Tu-95MSM took off was on August 22, 2020, from the Beriev Aircraft Company airfield in Taganrog. After that, the improvements continued. In mid-January 2023, the even more thoroughly modernized Tu-95MSM made another test flight.

As for the recent upgrade, it focused on improving the integration of the Tu-95MSM with air, sea and land assets for joint operations, allowing the "strategist" to function smoothly as part of a wider network. The avionics suite was also improved, the "strategist" received navigation, communication and control systems, which contributed to more accurate planning and execution of missions. Electronic warfare and defensive systems appeared.

Given that the Kh-101 cruise missiles have an excessive range, their range exceeding 5 thousand km, the Russians had a need for a version of these cruise missiles with a shorter flight range, given the Ukrainian theater of military operations and the possibility of a conflict with NATO in Europe. Russia has many Kh-101s, but it does not use them often, having used only a small number.

The Tu-95MS and Tu-95MSM are expected to play a central role in Russia's strategic bomber fleet until the 2030s, although their importance will gradually decline as new Tu-160Ms (50 expected) arrive. The first Tu-160M ​​was delivered to the Russian Aerospace Forces in January 2022. The PAK DA stealth bomber is expected to arrive later.