New Listing Mint 449 120E4 01620 Trumpeter 1/72 Russia Tu 160 Blackjack Box Back Damaged Ng. Top Rated Seller Top Rated Seller. The Russian Defense Ministry will purchase at least 50 new Tu-160 (Blackjack) heavy strategic bombers when the aircraft's production is renewed, Russian Air Force Commander Col.Gen. The Tupolev Tu-160 (NATO reporting code: Blackjack) is a supersonic, variable-sweep wing heavy strategic bomber designed by the Tupolev Design Bureau in Russia. Although several civil and military transport aircraft are larger in overall dimensions, the Tu-160 is currently the world's largest combat aircraft, largest supersonic aircraft,. A Tupolev Tu-160 Blackjack strategic bomber flies over the Red Square during the Victory Day parade in Moscow, May 9, 2015. Photo: REUTERS/Host Photo Agency/RIA Novosti.

Russian Air Force Tu-160 Strategic Bombers To Make Unprecedented Visit To South Africa… On 22 October 2019, two Russian Tu-160 Blackjack bombers will land at Air Force Base Waterkloof in what is the first known visit of the strategic bombers to Africa.

Tu-160 Blackjack Indian

The Director at African Defence Review has published on social media an invite that was issued by the Department of Defence of the Republic of South Africa. According to the invite, the South African Air Force will host some military aircraft belonging to the Russian Aerospace Force during their visit to the country.

Tu-160 Blackjack Indian Reservation

The Russian “contingent” will start arriving in South Africa on 21 October and will include an Antonov An-124 Ruslan and Il-62 aircraft: in fact, an accompanying Ruslan heavy lift cargo aircraft for support equipment and spares and a retro-looking Ilyushin Il-62 passenger aircraft carrying support, diplomatic and media personnel are part of what we could define as a “standard support package” to a Blackjack deployment, as observed in previous deployments.

Dealing with the two Tu-160s, the strategic bombers are slated to touch down at the air base located south of Pretoria, at approximately 06.30AM LT on the following days and they will be escorted by the SAAF Gripen and Hawk aircraft (so there might be some interesting photo opportunity there).

Notice to aircraft spotters in South Africa: You’re going to get the rare chance to see two Tu-160s, an Il-62, and an An-124 arriving in Tshwane, as part of an historic visit by the Russian Air Force to the South African Air Force. Interesting diplomatic move by Russia too.