Reports have emerged within the Russian media of NATO combat jets having been sent aloft to escort a pair of Russian Air Force bombers that, it said, were flying in neutral airspace on the 26^th March.

The Russian military has, in recent times, revived the practice of long-range airborne patrols – missions synonymous with the Cold War. At the end of 2007, a Russian Air Force official said that Russian strategic bombers had made over 70 patrol flights and spent over 40 hours aloft in the four months since President Putin had announced their resumption.

Flight Involved Russian Bear Bombers, Tanker Aircraft

According to news agency Interfax – quoting Alexander Drobyshevsky, spokesman for the Air Force - today’s mission involved two Russian Air Force Tupolev Tu-95 Bear strategic bombers, with support from two Ilyushin Il-78 tanker aircraft. The flight, it said, took place over Arctic and Pacific regions, and lasted 15 hours.

"In the course of the air patrol, long-range aviation aircraft were escorted by NATO jets in the region of Alaska", Drobyshevsky was quoted as having said.

Bear and B-52

The Tu-95 Bear is broadly similar to the USAF B-52 Stratofortress– both being (originally) designed as bombers, and both having first flown over 50 years ago.

Furthermore, both types are destined to serve for at least another 30 years.  

Russian Defence Spending Increased

Russia’s defence spending has increased in recent years – a situation allowed by the country’s improved economic prospects post-Soviet Union.

Air Force aside, the Russian Navy has completed the build of previously unfinished submarine designs, and has once again been taking part in naval exercises that, previously, a lack of spare parts and available fuel had precluded it participating in.

According to some analysts, Moscow is using its military prowess to present a show of might to the world. Others, however, describe how readily-deployable assets remain in short supply, and that, in the main, Russia’s military shows of strength are mere PR.

Source – Armed Forces International’s Aviation Expert

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