SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has been exploring a Russian proposal to lease 6-8 newly built Tupolev Tu-160M “White Swan” strategic bombers, as reported by veteran defense journalist Sandeep Unnithan. The offer, tied to Russia’s reactivation of the Tu-160M production line at the Kazan Aviation Plant, aimed to bolster India’s strategic capabilities with a potential IAF strategic air command. However, ongoing negotiations have hit significant hurdles, casting doubt on the deal’s progress.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has been exploring a Russian proposal to lease 6-8 newly built Tupolev Tu-160M “White Swan” strategic bombers, as reported by veteran defense journalist Sandeep Unnithan. The offer, tied to Russia’s reactivation of the Tu-160M production line at the Kazan Aviation Plant, aimed to bolster India’s strategic capabilities with a potential IAF strategic air command. However, ongoing negotiations have hit significant hurdles, casting doubt on the deal’s progress.
The Russian proposal to India included 6-8 aircraft, potentially forming the backbone of a new IAF strategic air command. The deal also hinted at technology transfers, enabling integration of indigenous systems like the BrahMos cruise missile, which would enhance the bomber’s versatility for regional missions, including deterrence in the Indo-Pacific.
The Tu-160M, with its 12,000 km range and 40-ton payload, offers unmatched strategic reach. For India, acquiring such a platform could address gaps in long-range strike capabilities, particularly in light of regional security dynamics involving China and Pakistan. The ability to integrate BrahMos missiles would align the aircraft with India’s push for self-reliance in defense technology, while a lease model could mitigate the high costs of outright purchase, estimated at $500 million per unit.
Despite its strategic allure, the proposed deal has encountered significant obstacles. Sources cited by idrw.org indicate that the Russia-Ukraine war, ongoing since 2022, has strained Russia’s military-industrial complex. The conflict has diverted critical resources to sustain Russia’s operations, impacting production timelines at the Kazan Aviation Plant. Ukrainian drone strikes, notably the June 2025 “Spider’s Web” operation, have targeted Russian airbases, damaging Tu-95MS and Tu-22M3 bombers and causing losses estimated at $7 billion. While Tu-160s were spared, these attacks have underscored their critical role in Russia’s nuclear triad, likely making Moscow hesitant to export such assets.
Sanctions imposed on Russia have further complicated matters, limiting access to advanced components and technologies needed for Tu-160M production. This has raised concerns about Russia’s ability to deliver the promised aircraft on schedule. Additionally, India’s cautious approach to deepening defense ties with Russia, given geopolitical shifts and its growing partnerships with Western nations, may have contributed to the stalled talks.
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