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Russia bombers to test-fire missiles near France

23 January 2008 15:27 (UTC +04:00)

The exercises in waters off Franceâ€™s southwestern coast reflected Russiaâ€™s increasing military assertiveness, demonstrating that armed forces once severely undermined by funding shortages are returning to strength as Russiaâ€™s economy booms.
The two Tu-160s â€” called "Blackjacks" by NATO â€” were intercepted and then tailed by British and Norwegian jets as they flew over international waters to participate in the exercises, Col. Alexander Drobyshevsky was quoted as telling ITAR-Tass.
The bombers "carried out a series of military training tasks and conducted tactical missile launches," Drobyshevsky said.
In August, President Vladimir Putin returned Russiaâ€™s bombers to long-range patrols over the Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic oceans for the first time since the 1991 Soviet breakup, flexing military muscle amid a political campaign at home and strained relations with the West.
Fighter jets from Britain and Norway have repeatedly escorted the Russian planes when they skirt Europeâ€™s western edge.
Britainâ€™s military confirmed Tuesday that Royal Air Force Tornado fighters were scrambled and escorted the latest bombers as they flew to the Bay of Biscay. The military characterized the incident as routine.
There were no reports of the Tu-160s violating any countryâ€™s air space during their flight from the Engels air base near the central Russian city of Saratov.
The supersonic Tu-160 is one of two strategic bombers in the Russian air force, along with the turboprop Tu-95 "Bear." AP