The Tupolev Tu-160M2

The Indian Navy had acquired a strategic manned airborne dimension with the induction of Tupolev Tu-142M Long Range Maritime Patrol/Anti-Submarine Warfare (LRMP/ ASW) platforms in 1988. Powered by four KKBM Kuznetsov NK-12MV turboprops ( each rated at 11,033 KW or 14,795 shp), with eight- blade contra- rotating reversible-pitch Type AV-60N propellers, the Tu-142M boasted a “near-conventional jet speed” of around 500 knots while encompassing the major swaths of Indian Ocean region from bases in South and Central India (INS Rajali and INS Hansa being more prominent) on internal fuel alone. An Air- to- Air Refuelling ( AAR) probe was fitted above the nose and could summon the Agra-based Indian Air Force (IAF) Ilyushin Il-78MKI tankers of No.78 Squadron if situations required.

While as primary sensors, the Tupolev Tu-142M platforms were fitted with the Korshun- K (Black Kite) automatic search and sighting system and MMS-106 Ladoga magnetometre to detect ‘stealthy’ nuclearpowered submarines, the Indian Navy’s Tupolev Tu-142M made news headlines for its ‘Wet Eye’ search and attack radar. The Australian Government in fact once had strong reservations about the Tupolev Tu-142M’s intended role in Indian Navy

service, which to the Australian Government represented “an Indian naval effort to expand its sphere of influence at the cost of Australia’s own.” Matters did not help as rumours spread (later confirmed) that the Indian Navy Tupolev Tu-142M fleet, which in addition to LRMP/ASW gear and role, retained sufficient ability to carry out a secondary heavy-bombing role. However, with a top speed of around 500 knots it only had marginal effectiveness in penetration of well defended airspace yet the prospect of integration of state-of-the-art Anti-Ship Cruise Missiles (ASCM) or Land Attack Cruise Missiles (LACM) could well have transformed the Bear-Foxtrot into being a formidable attack platform and decimate targets at will from stand-off distances.

Tupolev to Tupolev

Although various plans once existed for upgrading the Tupolev Tu-142M fleet to becoming even more formidable LRMP/ ASW platforms with Electronic Intelligence ( ELINT) attributes, the Indian Navy was also “looking beyond” LRMP/ASW platforms for effective operations in its sphere of influence and this was somewhat confirmed at the turn of millennium by persistent yet intermittent reports of the lease of Tupolev Tu-22M3 (Backfire-C) multi-mission strike platforms, capable of performing low-level nuclear strike and conventional attack role both over land and sea alongside strategic reconnaissance missions. In absence of official confirmation and shielded in misinformation or secrecy, the proposed airborne package as per media reports, included leasing of three Tupolev Tu- 22M3 strategic bombing/ maritime strike platforms, plus one Tupolev Tu22MR reconnaissance oriented platform with a giant Side Looking Airborne Radar (SLAR) in what was previously the internal bomb bay to enable aerial reconnaissance from great slant distances. Also, the package reportedly included one Tupolev Tu134UBL, with each of the mentioned types to be provided from the Russian Air Force inventory.

During height of the Cold War, the Tupolev Tu- 22M remained one of the most controversial airborne platforms and contributed considerably to breakdown of Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) II owing to arguments as to whether to classify this as a strategic platform or not. Two Kuznetsov NK-25 turbofan engines provided the Tupolev Tu-22M a range of some 7,000 km-plus at high altitude on internal fuel alone, with further extension possible with AAR. To complicate matters further, the maximum speed was reported to be 2,300 km/h at high altitude with 12

tonnes of strike ordnance or an alternative load of a single air launched cruise missile carried in semi-recessed form to reduce drag. Thus, it was logically deduced by the United States Administration that if air bases were made available in certain South or Central American nations, the Tupolev Tu-22M acquired the “strategic dimension” by conducting “one-way over Arctic” missions against the United States homeland and thus be regarded as a strategic platform. This logic was outright rejected by the Soviets for few practical reasons but ultimately leading to breakdown of SALT II.

However, in Soviet Dalnaya Aviatsiya or Long-Range Aviation and AV-MF or Naval Aviation service, the Tupolev Tu- 22M represented a formidable strike platform with the radar speculated to be of the missile guidance ‘Down Beat’ family in conjunction with formidable contemporary avionics and electronic warfare suites and so were feared and respected by the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) adversaries. Most of the electronic warfare suites were ‘ flush mounted’ so as not to hamper aerodynamic performance. During height of the Cold War, the Tupolev Tu-22M ‘Backfire’ achieved further notoriety from NATO’s perspective for repeated simulated launch of cruise missiles against the NATO Aircraft-Carrier Battle Groups (CVBG) and also penetrating the formidable Japanese air-defence network at will. These were bound to be carefully planned ELINT/ ferret missions and tactics to test and record NATO Strike Fleet and Japanese air defence tactics and procedures. Operating from forward bases in the European Landmass, the Soviet Tupolev Tu-22Ms were active over North Atlantic as far as the Azores, encompassing the whole European landmass and were considered a significant threat to NATO surface ASW barriers in key areas such as Greenland-Iceland-UK (GIUK) gaps. However, slab- sided fuselage and engine intakes presented prominent Radar Cross Section (RCS), and the positioning of engine intakes occupied significant fuselage space reducing internal fuel loads and thus reducing potential range.

In this context, perhaps, another Tupolev optimally suitable maritime strike platform for the Indian Navy resided in the Russian upgraded Tupolev Tu-160M2 Blackjack supersonic strategic bomber, the basic design being true successor of Tupolev Tu- 95/ 142 and pride of the Russian Dalnaya Aviatsiya (Long Range

Aviation). Tupolev Tu-160s equip the 121st Guards Heavy Bomber Regiment based at Engels Air Force Base at Saratov region. As confirmed by Col. Gen. Viktor Bondarev, commander of the Russian Federation Air Force (RFAF), Russia’s new Tupolev Tu-160M2 Blackjack supersonic strategic bomber is expected to enter full- rate production by 2021.

The Tupolev Tu-160, in contrast to the Tupolev Tu-22M represents a formidable state-of-the-art platform with its 10,500 km inter-continental range, having considerable weapons load estimated on a mission profile of subsonic high altitude cruise, followed by transonic or supersonic penetration at low altitude on internal fuel alone with aerial refuelling option available for further enhancement of range. Russian Air Force Tupolev Tu- 160s repeatedly displayed their capability to operate over the Indian Ocean during Indo-Russian Naval Exercises (INDRA) from the Russian homeland and CIS bases striking notional targets with cruise missiles and combat tested over Syria. In operational terms, the Tupolev Tu-160 functions as a rapid response cruise missile platform, swiftly moving into the optimum position to launch long-range cruise missiles from stand-off distances.

At a conceptual level, if operated from Indian bases, the Indian Ocean “will fall under its scanner in totality” along with adjoining territories of West Asia and Far East.

In the Tupolev Tu-160 design, sufficient emphasis is given on reduction of RCS with the wing and fuselage gradually integrated into a single- piece configuration. The four NK-32 augmented turbofan engines (candidates for further upgradation), each providing a maximum thrust of 25,000 kg, are installed in two pods under shoulders of the wing with engine-intakes well shielded under fuselage to be screened from lookdown radars. Measures were also applied to reduce signature of the engines to infra-red and radar detectors. The Tupolev Tu-160’s avionics system consisting of navigation and attack radar and electronic countermeasures system will represent the latest in Russian technology after proposed upgrades and KRET claims that the system ranks “among the most advanced in the world,” capable of shielding the Tu-160M2 from Surfaceto-Air Missiles (SAMs). In addition, the aircraft will carry a platform-less inertial navigation system, which will determine the coordinates, route and speed using laser gyroscopes and quartz accelerometres. Even a limited export/joint production order for Indian Navy may evoke considerable interest as this is bound to “streamline” the re-opened production line to subsequently cater for future needs.

Besides carrying the full assortment of Russian Air-to-Surface Missiles (ASM) and added Precision Guided Munitions ( PGM) capability, the Tupolev Tu160M2 in Indian Navy service could well be the perfect carrier of the projected air-launched variant of supersonic (Mach 2.8) Indo- Russian PJ- 10 BrahMos Anti-Ship Cruise Missile (ASCM) with smaller booster and additional tail fins for stability during launch, accommodating six of them on multi-station launchers in each of the two internal weapons bays. The BrahMos ASCM is a joint venture between Indian DRDO and Russian NPO Mashinostroyeniya ( NPO Mash) and inherits from its predecessor, the Russian Yakhont ASCM, low RCS with an active radar homing seeker to facilitate fire-andforget launch. Varieties of flight trajectories including sea-skimming or terminal pop-up followed by a deadly dive,would complicate the task of the adversary. This supersonic bomber in principle could act as the loitering first stage of the supersonic missile shadowing enemy CVBG and Surface Action Groups ( SAG) from stand- off distances and providing target coordinates of capital warships within the group once the missiles are launched. Interestingly, subject to tripartite negotiations between India, Russia and Israel, the Tupolev Tu160M2 represents a suitable candidate for adaption to a reconnaissance and Ballistic Missile Defence ( BMD) role if armed with advanced reconnaissance gear and air launched variant (still a closely guarded issue) of 150 km ranged Barak- 8ER, reportedly capable of neutralising hostile ballistic missiles at their boost phase.