In the global military power struggle, strategic bombers, as core equipment for long-range strikes and strategic deterrence, have always been under close attention. Recently, news about India possibly purchasing Tu-160 strategic bombers from Russia has sparked widespread discussion.
As the most advanced supersonic long-range bomber currently in service with Russia, the Tu-160 possesses powerful combat capabilities. If India successfully acquires this equipment, its strategic projection capability will be significantly enhanced, posing a new security challenge to neighboring countries such as China.
Performance of the Tu-160
The Tu-160 strategic bomber was developed by the Soviet Union in the 1970s and 1980s. Its NATO designation is "Black Jack," and it is nicknamed "White Swan" due to its white paint. The aircraft has a maximum takeoff weight of 275 tons, equipped with four Kuznetsov NK-32 afterburning turbofan engines, each producing an afterburner thrust of approximately 250 kilonewtons. Its maximum speed exceeds 2 Maches. Its range at high altitude with a full fuel tank reaches 16,000 kilometers, with a bomb load capacity of up to 45 tons. It can carry Kh-55SM, Kh-101/102 cruise missiles, and nuclear weapons, with an operational radius of approximately 7,300 kilometers.
In recent years, Russia has introduced the upgraded Tu-160M version, which improves avionics, navigation systems, and weapon compatibility, increasing its combat effectiveness by about 60%. It has become a key pillar of the Russian Aerospace Forces' strategic nuclear deterrence.
For China, the Tu-160's long-range strike capability poses a significant threat. Taking off from northern Indian bases, the Tu-160 can cover the entire Chinese territory, including economically developed coastal areas and inland strategic targets, without refueling. The range of the Kh-101 cruise missile it carries can reach 5,500 kilometers. If integrated with India's domestically produced Brahmos missile, its precision strike capability will be further enhanced.
The complex terrain and high-altitude environment in the Sino-Indian border region may limit the deployment of ground-based air defense systems. Meanwhile, the Tu-160's high-speed penetration and high-altitude flight capabilities make it difficult to intercept using traditional methods. Furthermore, if India uses it for nuclear deterrence, its strategic significance will be further amplified, forming a multi-dimensional challenge to China's security.
However, the Tu-160 is not invulnerable. Its design is based on technologies from the previous century, resulting in a large radar cross-section and lacking modern stealth capabilities. In contrast, the U.S. B-2 stealth bomber has a radar cross-section of only 0.1 square meters, making the Tu-160 more vulnerable to detection by modern radars. Additionally, its high-thrust engines produce a noticeable infrared signature when operating in afterburner mode, making them susceptible to being locked onto by infrared-guided missiles. These weaknesses provide China with opportunities to respond.
Motivations for India to Acquire the Tu-160
As one of the world's major arms importers, India has long been committed to enhancing its military strength to address multiple security threats. Currently, the Indian Air Force primarily relies on Su-30MKI, Rafale, and Jaguar fighter jets, lacking dedicated strategic bombers. The introduction of the Tu-160 would fill this gap, significantly enhancing its long-range strike and strategic deterrence capabilities.
Since the 2020 standoff in Ladakh, tensions along the Sino-Indian border have continued to escalate. India believes that China's infrastructure development and military deployment in the border area pose a long-term threat. The Tu-160's long-range strike capability can cover inland targets in China, forming a strategic constraint against China.
India seeks to establish dominance in South Asia and even the Asia-Pacific region. Possessing a strategic bomber not only enhances its military deterrence but also increases its voice on the international stage, allowing it to stand shoulder to shoulder with major powers like the United States, Russia, and China.
India's long-standing rivalry with Pakistan is a key driver of its military modernization. The Tu-160's high payload and long-range capabilities enable it to conduct strikes across the entire Pakistani territory, further solidifying India's regional advantage.
India has a long history of military cooperation with Russia. Over 60% of India's military equipment comes from Russia, including T-90 tanks, Su-30MKI fighters, and S-400 air defense systems. According to the Indian Ministry of Defense, the military trade volume between the two countries reached approximately $5 billion in the fiscal year 2020.
After the Ukraine-Russia conflict, Western sanctions have limited Russia's defense exports, while India's defense cooperation with countries such as the United States and France has deepened. This diversified procurement strategy reflects India's balance considerations in the global geopolitical landscape.
Destroy, Shoot Down, or Interfere?
The Hongqi-9 (HQ-9) is China's main long-range air defense missile, with a range of approximately 200 kilometers and a maximum altitude of over 30,000 meters, covering the typical operating height of the Tu-160. Its missile speed reaches 4 Maches, far exceeding the Tu-160's 2 Maches. Equipped with the SJ-212 phased array radar, it can track 100 targets within 300 kilometers and prioritize locking onto the six most threatening ones, with a response time of just 12 seconds. The large body and distinct infrared characteristics of the Tu-160 make it difficult to evade interception by the HQ-9.
China's S-400 air defense system, purchased from Russia, has a longer range and higher altitude, and is equipped with various missile models capable of dealing with targets at different distances and altitudes. The S-400's multi-target tracking capability allows it to maintain efficient interception even against potential saturation attacks by the Tu-160.
China has strengthened the deployment of radar stations and air defense missile positions in the Sino-Indian border region, forming a multi-layered air defense network. Eastern coastal areas and inland strategic targets are also equipped with similar systems, ensuring comprehensive protection throughout the country. If the Tu-160 enters China's Air Defense Identification Zone, it will face dense radar locks and missile threats.
In wartime, shooting down the Tu-160 is a feasible option. The high-speed missiles and high-precision radars of the HQ-9 and S-400 can effectively destroy this target, even if it attempts a high-speed penetration, making it difficult to break through. However, shooting it down could trigger diplomatic and military conflicts, so it would only be used in extreme situations.
China has advanced electronic warfare equipment, such as airborne electronic warfare aircraft and ground jamming stations. These devices can implement intense electromagnetic suppression on the Tu-160's radar, navigation, and communication systems, causing it to lose target positioning capabilities or deviate from its course. The Indian Air Force's electronic warfare capabilities are relatively weak, making it difficult to effectively counter China's technological advantages.
The high-thrust engines of the Tu-160 produce a significant infrared signal during afterburner operation. China can use infrared-guided surface-to-air or air-to-air missiles to lock onto and interfere with it. Even if not directly destroyed, it can force the Tu-160 to abandon its mission.
The advantage of interference lies in its non-lethal nature, allowing it to weaken the Tu-160's combat effectiveness without triggering a full-scale conflict. China's electronic warfare technology has rapidly developed in recent years, such as the multi-band jamming capability achieved on the J-16D electronic warfare aircraft, which is sufficient to deal with the Tu-160's traditional electronic systems.
The H-20 is China's next-generation strategic bomber, expected to possess stealth capabilities and a longer range. It is speculated that its bomb load may reach 20-30 tons, with a range exceeding 10,000 kilometers. Although it has not been officially unveiled yet, its technical goals may approach or partially surpass the Tu-160, especially in terms of stealth and electronic warfare capabilities.
The current H-6K has a range of about 8,000 kilometers and a bomb load of 15 tons, equipped with the Changjian-20 cruise missile. Although there are gaps compared to the Tu-160, its improved versions can already cover the entire Indian territory, forming a certain level of equal deterrence.
The DF-17 hypersonic ballistic missile has a speed exceeding 10 Maches and a range of about 2,500 kilometers, capable of quickly striking Tu-160 bases or support facilities in India. This asymmetric strike capability will force India to re-evaluate the value of deploying the Tu-160.
Cooperation between China and Russia in economic, energy, and military fields is increasingly deepening. In 2024, the bilateral trade volume between China and Russia exceeded $240 billion, and both sides have formed strategic trust in the "Belt and Road" initiative and Arctic energy development. If Russia sells the Tu-160 to India, it may harm relations with China. China can express concerns through bilateral channels and exert pressure to prevent the transaction.
China can strengthen military cooperation with countries such as Pakistan and Myanmar to build a strategic encirclement network targeting India. The JF-17 fighter jets and submarine-launched cruise missiles of Pakistan will to some extent restrict India's deployment of the Tu-160.
Interference is the best option in peacetime, as it can weaken the threat posed by the Tu-160 at a low cost; shooting it down applies to direct responses during wartime; and destroying it requires combining hypersonic weapons or bombers to strike Indian bases. China's strategy will flexibly adjust according to the situation.
If India successfully acquires the Tu-160, it will significantly change the military balance in South Asia, prompting China to accelerate the development of air defense and bomber systems. However, the current suspension of the transaction provides China with a buffer period. In the future, if India turns to other countries to seek similar equipment, such as second-hand bombers from Europe, China's response needs to be adjusted accordingly. In the short term, regional tensions have eased, but the long-term impact still needs to be closely monitored.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7522718215949058575/
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