Aircraft
China To Acquire Tu-22 Supersonic Bombers?
The Russian Air Force still operates some Tu-22M3 supersonic bombers. Sources disagree on whether China could be acquiring some for maritime strike. (Photo: Vladimir Karnozov)
The Russian Air Force still operates some Tu-22M3 supersonic bombers. Sources disagree on whether China could be acquiring some for maritime strike. (Photo: Vladimir Karnozov)

There is renewed speculation on unofficial Chinese websites that the country has closed a deal with Russia for licensed production of the Tupolev Tu-22M3 long-range supersonic bomber. But there has been no confirmation from Moscow or Beijing, and a senior military researcher in the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has discounted the speculation.