[QUOTE=hallo84]The russians are always trying to shove out the trash to India and china for new funding[QUOTE]

Whatever you might think about the airframe life of Russian Backfires (and some aren’t that old at all) you can still hardly refer to it as trash. It is still a large supersonic bomber with lots of avionics upgrade potential and a very decent range. Considerring the fact that it out performs, by a long shot, the Badgers China is operating at the moment referring to it as “trash” is going a bit far in my opinion. Just think what a Backfire, with new radar, new avionics and new weapons would mean – just for what the Chinese could learn from it…

Crobato,
I’m surprised that you don’t show much remorse over that fact. I know that there are only so many things that Backfires can do that Badgers can’t and that, clrealy, these extra capabilities aren’t worth the airframe and operating costs… But… It would sure be useful for the Chinese aviation industry if they could draw on the PLAAF’s experience of operating large super-sonic bombers. Especially if the Chinese ever plan on making one of their own.

Not to mention the fact that the airframes are a lot cheaper so more money is left over for weapons, spare parts, pilot training… etc etc.

I guess I was kinda hoping for better replies than this…

This, if true, sounds like big news – why doesn’t anyone seem particularly interested?

MOSCOW, January 14 (RIA Novosti) – Russia might sell long-range strategic bombers to China, said Air Force commander Vladimir Mikhailov. He was referring, in particular, to the medium-range Tu-22M3 bomber.

Rosoboronexport refused to comment on Mr. Mikhailov’s statement, but two sources in the Russian aircraft manufacturing companies confirmed China’s interest in the Tu-22M3 to Vedomosti. The Chinese military leadership has decided to set up a long-range aviation command even though the country does not have modern aircraft of this class.

In the past, Russia has refused to sell the bombers to China because they represent a “too powerful weapons system.” Hence, the statement by the Air Force commander can be taken as proof of a change in Russia’s position on this issue.

The only long-range bomber China has now is the Tu-16, said military expert Mikhail Barabanov. The Soviet Union sold a license for its production to China in the late 1950s, but the aircraft became obsolete long ago and cannot threaten even Taiwan, the main possible adversary of China. Besides, the US fleet can come to the rescue of Taiwan. But if China acquires the Tu-22M3, especially if it is armed with the latest Russian missiles, it may be able to threaten the Americans on the long approaches to Taiwan, the expert said.

China should buy at least two Tu-22M3 regiments (up to 40 aircraft), which would be enough to guarantee the destruction of a US carrier group, according to calculations made in Soviet times. Konstantin Makiyenko, an expert at the Strategy and technology Analysis Center, thinks two Tu-22M3 regiments with the latest missiles would cost more than $1 billion.

Since the mass production of the Tu-22M3 was curtailed in 1991, the deliveries can only be made from the available pool of aircraft, which has fallen from nearly 300 in 1991 to 130 today.

And if the enemy’s army is made up of a lot of first born sons of Egypt they’re laughing… So to speak.