As Was Expected...

... they "fogged" the image of the cabin but it is clear that new TU-160M2 is a completely new aircraft. It has glass cockpit and new navigation-targeting, and comm and EW complex. Putin wanted to try it himself.

Ah, this "crazy SOB" as Biden calls him. Just confirms my thesis that one can not buy either class or history. In related news, the Defense Minister of mighty France complains:

A month ago, a Russian air traffic control system threatened to shoot French aircraft in the Black Sea. It's like the cold war, we have a return to a particularly aggressive Russian position. Russia is playing with the thresholds of aggression," he says. 

I guess, Russia's VKS should start flying near France and then see the reaction and compare. Oh, I am sure French will come up with some sophisticated BS and hurl very cultured profanities at Russians. There is one problem, though, TU-160s or TU-95s, or TU-22M3Ms do not even need to leave Russia's airspace to reach anywhere in the Northern hemisphere. It is called capability--a precise substance France doesn't have in the air.

Almost Anti-Climactic.

We all remember that after the coup in Kiev and Crimea's return home in 2014, Russia, due to sanctions from EU, US, Ukraine--you name it--was cut off the Ukrainian (in reality Soviet) source of some crucial machinery. Nowhere more this cut off was evident than in propulsion plants for Russian Navy's ships (situation was somewhat similar but less dire with helicopter engines). I recall vividly what a case of schadenfreude Ukrainian side had, understanding that at that time introduction of new ships for Russian Navy was dependent heavily on Ukrainian "Zorya-Mashproekt" from the city of Nikolaev. That, plus proverbial MTU's diesel engines. Well, not anymore. You may see some photos from legendary Saturn here (in Russian).  If that wasn't bad (or good--all depends on POV) enough, Kazan Aviation Plant completely restored its unique (largest in the world) electronic-ray welding facility for titanium structures of.... TU-160s. 

Yes, Putin visited Saturn and did all what is required from the head of state--speech, appearance etc.--but for people in the know massive strategic (in fact, global) ramifications of these two events can not fail to make an impression. Saturn already stated that first production run turbines for ships will be produced by the end of this year and it does not merely translate in pretty much steep decline in Ukrainian turbine manufacturer's fortunes--that was clear from the get go--but it is a clear signal to China that Russia has more than enough resources to not remain dependent on Chinese products even as a stop-gap measure. Diesel engines will follow. For globalists these are horrible news--by 2020 Russian surface fleet of the remote sea zone will start growing and with respectable number of project 22350 frigates, capable of carrying 3M22 Zircon this spells some exciting time in Mediterranean. Add here a new modification (in reality a complete new plane) of TU-160M2 with new missiles and one has one hell of a conventional deterrent with global reach. As I stated not for once--operational implications of that are enormous. There is a very old Russian proverb--Gol' na vydumki hitra (literally: paupers are very inventive) and while Russians are generally inventive, they are also not a paupers anymore. Not as virtually rich (due to printing press) as Americans or some Europeans but not paupers and we are yet to see some good old Soviet views to transform into extremely advanced technological and operational concepts. Strategic, generational bet on high speed, smart stand-off missile weapons begins to pay off. 

     

Hyper-sonic Brahmos