Long-range bombers of the Russian Aerospace Forces Tu-22M3 made new training flights over the eastern waters of the Mediterranean Sea, accompanied by Su-35 fighters.

This was reported by the press service of the Russian Defense Ministry.

Two days earlier, bombers landed for the first time at the Russian Khmeimim airbase for training missions over the Mediterranean Sea.

In the future, the aircraft will return to their permanent bases in Russia.

According to the Ministry of Defense, during the flights, the crews of Tu-22M3 long-range bombers "received practical skills to perform tasks in new geographical areas."

  • Russian servicemen at the Khmeimim airbase in Syria

  • RIA News

  • © Maxim Blinov

According to experts, during such maneuvers, the crews also work out coherence. 

"Front-line aviation covers strategic bombers, while they hit conditional targets, this bundle needs to be worked out," military expert Alexei Leonkov explained in an interview with RT.

In turn, the reserve colonel Viktor Litovkin noted that such training flights are necessary to study the theater of military operations.

“While we are not talking about the fact that Tu-22M3 will be permanently deployed in Syria.

In theory, this is possible if such a decision is made by the General Staff of the RF Armed Forces, ”he said in a comment to RT.

Basic collaboration

Recall that the long-range supersonic bomber-bomber Tu-22M3 (NATO codification - Backfire) was developed back in Soviet times to destroy sea and ground targets with guided missiles and bombs.

Serial production of the aircraft started in 1978, and in its current form it was put into service in 1989.

In total, about 500 Tu-22M aircraft of various modifications were built.

In recent years, the aircraft has undergone a deep modernization, as a result of which the Tu-22M3 received a new complex of modern digital avionics (avionics) based on the Russian element base, which significantly expanded the combat potential of the vehicle.

  • Tu-22M3 in flight, 1989

Also, the avionics have been updated by 80%.

In addition, the engineers returned the refueling rod to the aircraft, which was removed from the design of the machine during the Cold War by agreement with Washington.

The presence of this element will allow the Tu-22M3 to stay in the air for more than five hours.

The ability to transfer long-range strategic bombers to Khmeimim appeared after the reconstruction of the runway and a complete replacement of the coating.

In addition, as reported by the RF Ministry of Defense, new light-signaling and radio-technical equipment was installed at the base.

"At present, all types of aircraft in service with the RF Armed Forces, including heavy aircraft, can fly from the Khmeimim airbase," the department noted.

Recall that in 2015, Syria and Russia signed an agreement on the deployment of a Russian aviation group in the republic free of charge "at the request of the Syrian side."

The base was determined by the Khmeimim airfield in the province of Latakia.

In early 2017, Moscow and Damascus also signed a protocol to the previously concluded agreement, which specifies the terms of cooperation.

So, it was agreed that Russia extends its jurisdiction to the locations of the air group, as well as in relation to its personnel.

The parties agreed that the agreement will be valid for 49 years and automatically renewed for subsequent 25-year periods, if neither party decides to terminate it.

Recall that the airbase was used during the operation of the Russian Armed Forces against terrorist groups in the SAR.

Su-24M bombers, Su-25 attack aircraft, Su-30SM fighters, Mi-24 and Mi-8 helicopters, reconnaissance aircraft and unmanned aircraft systems took part in the hostilities.

In the fight against terrorists, the Ministry of Defense also used strategic aviation.

However, at the same time, long-range bombers took off not from Syrian territory, but from airfields in Mozdok and Engels.

The United States also used aircraft of this class in Syria - B-1 Lancer bombers.

Answer tool

The appearance of Russian strategic bombers at an airbase in Syria is actively discussed in the American media.

Thus, according to The Drive, the deployment of several long-range bombers in Khmeimim "will give Russia a significant opportunity to demonstrate strength" not only in the Arab republic, but throughout the Mediterranean.

"The flight range of the equipped standard Tu-22M3 without refueling allows it to cover targets in the Black Sea region, in Libya ..., and the deployment at the base (Khmeimim. -

RT

) expands coverage in northeast Africa and the Middle East," the journalists say.

  • The building of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation

  • RIA News

  • © Sergey Guneev

The fact that Tu-22M3 aircraft "are ultimately based on a stronghold in Syria," according to The Drive, allegedly testifies to "Russia's desire to once again be able to use long-range aviation in the Mediterranean, which is a potential means of creating threats to objects and forces. NATO in Europe ”.

With a request to comment on the transfer of Russian bombers, media representatives twice appealed to Pentagon spokesman John Kirby during a briefing.

He was also asked about the impact of this factor on the security of the US armed forces in the SAR.

However, Kirby replied that he could not confirm the information about the movement of the bombers.

“It is better to turn to the RF Ministry of Defense with this question.

We do not comment on measures to protect the armed forces anywhere in the world.

I will definitely not comment on such measures in Syria, ”said a spokesman for the US defense department.

  • John Kirby

  • AFP

  • © ALEX WONG / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA

Analysts, in turn, note that the presence of a group of strategic bombers of the Russian Aerospace Forces in Syria is intended to defend Russian interests on a wide regional flank and in no way threatens NATO and the United States.

“The combat radius of the Tu-22M3 is about 3.5 thousand km, taking into account the possibility of refueling in the air, such a bomber is capable of solving problems not only in the Mediterranean Sea, but also in the space over the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf and the entire water area of ​​the Indian Ocean.

The aircraft carries X-32 anti-ship missiles and the Kinzhal hypersonic aviation missile system, - Alexey Leonkov explained.

He also recalled the high activity of the US and NATO in the region.

Earlier, the Pentagon said that the American side does not plan to scale back its military presence in Syria.

“NATO activity is growing in the Middle East, North Africa and the Balkans.

In such conditions, Russia should have its own deterrent forces in the region, and strategic bombers are a serious argument here, ”Leonkov says.

Viktor Litovkin adheres to a similar point of view.

According to him, the presence of bombers in Syria allows Russia not only to designate its presence in the region, but also to protect the sea routes that are used by Russian ships.

“Such a grouping of strategic bombers is capable of containing the possible negative activity of the US and NATO.

Russia in this case made it clear that it has every chance to rebuff in case of attempts to put pressure on it, ”Litovkin summed up.