Will Russia Even Be A Strategic Bomber Power By 2030? Its Intended Replacement Still Hasn't Flown

Russia’s position within the ‘big three’ strategic bomber nations faces significant uncertainty by 2030, largely due to the diminishing legacy of its Soviet-era aircraft. The ongoing disappearance of these inherited assets poses a substantial challenge to maintaining Russia’s capabilities in this domain. Currently, no replacement for the Tu-160 Blackjack supersonic heavy bombers has successfully flown. This lack of progress highlights critical issues surrounding development timelines and technical hurdles. Experts suggest that without a functional successor, Russia's ability to maintain a robust strategic bomber force will be severely compromised, impacting future defense strategies.