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Russian nuclear bombers fly near N Korea in rare show of force

16 Comments
By Andrew Osborn

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Halwick

And where will those heavy bombers be based at? Most likely the Chinese-built military bases on those artificial reefs in the South China Seas

Very unlikely. The relationship between Russia and China is friendly, but it is not a military allience like US-Japan. Russians have good air bases of their own.

Wakarimasen

Not sure a prop driven plane is a massive threat

It's not the plane, it's the missiles the plane is loaded with, that's matters. And the TU-95's missiles were used in Syria and proved to be very effective.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Not sure a prop driven plane is a massive threat.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

To add to @paradoxbox comments about the Tu-95, the Tu-95 dates back to the early 1950s. In fact, the Tu-95 is very similar to an late-1940s B-52 design concept that used four turboprop engines powering contra-rotating propellers before it was redesigned in the early 1950s with pure jet power,

The Tu-95 remains in service because it, like the B-52 has proved to be adaptable and amenable to upgrades and modifications that keeps it in service in a variety of missions. Although no longer a frontline strategic nuclear bomber, in contrast to the B-52, it now serves very effectively as a maritime patrol reconnaissance, anti-ship/anti-submarine aircraft as well as a cruise missile carrier.

Don't knock Russian technology. They may be primitive and low tech by Western technology standards, but they work, are rugged, reliable, easily maintainable and operational under harsh conditions. They may not be equipped with the latest computer systems, but then they aren't susceptible to hacking.

The daily Izvestia newspaper reported in October last year that Russia was close to finishing setting up a new division of heavy bombers to patrol "the Japan-Guam-Hawaiian Islands triangle."

And where will those heavy bombers be based at? Most likely the Chinese-built military bases on those artificial reefs in the South China Seas. There are three bases with 9800 ft runways that can easily handle the Tu-95 and Tu-160 bombers.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Russia is warning US,South Korea, Japan NOT to escalate the crisis by seeking any excuse to drop a bomb or attempt a ground war to take over any lands above the 38th parallel

0 ( +3 / -3 )

leave it to the media to make light of a tu-95

for those of you that don't know - while the original design is old, modernized variants have been produced, and in fact the tu-95 remains the fastest prop and turboprop aircraft in the world (and has held this record for many decades). it flies at nearly the same speed many typical jets do. it is fast enough to get where it needs to go. a b-52 is not significantly faster than the tu-95 yet it remains the main US nuclear bomber.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

@ Dango bong

"Russia can afford airplanes and gasoline?"

America can afford airplanes and gasoline because it borrows the money from China about 12% of public debt i think.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

If the flight was over international waters, why did Japan and SK have to scramble their fighters?

Catching up with old mates? Hisashiburi!!!!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Are those propellers?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Marcelito- the area around the peninsula is small. Im sure those bombers still crossed the japanese and korean adiz. The adiz is still international but its close to a country hence they sent out planes to the escort them.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

reading the title I thought they were showing force to NK, not the US....

8 ( +8 / -0 )

A gentle warning to the US and her Pacific allies.

But what was the sonic weapon use in Havana for? A not so gentle warning?

http://www.newsweek.com/russia-us-attack-cuba-officials-649546

"We urge all sides to exercise maximum caution. Given the arms build-up in the region, any rash move or even an unintended incident could spark a military conflict."

All "sides" appear to be urging caution in a veiled threat sort of way...

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Great... now Kim is going to get more reckless and obnoxious thinking both China and Russia have his fat back.

6 ( +9 / -3 )

Russia can afford airplanes and gasoline?

-5 ( +5 / -10 )

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