Regardless of what ultimately happens with this story, the fact of the matter is that Russia’s position around the world—even after three years of crushing sanctions and attrition warfare in Ukraine—is stronger than ever.
Roaring along, powered by four powerful Kuznetsov NK-12 turboprop engines driving counter-rotating propellers, Russia’s Tupolev Tu-95 (nicknamed “Bear” by NATO) is a Soviet-era strategic bomber and missile platform that first flew in 1952. These are among the fastest heavy bombers in the world, capable of reaching speeds of around 570 miles per hour with a range exceeding 9,300 miles.
Oh, and the bomber is nuclear-capable, too.
The Tu-95’s Specifications
Tu-95s have a distinctive profile. Their swept-back wings and massive 50-meter wingspan have made these roaring leviathans an icon of Russian airpower for decades.
The Tu-95 can carry a small arsenal—upwards of 33,000 pounds of weapons! The plane is outfitted to carry everything from cruise missiles, like the Kh-55 and Kh-101/102, to nuclear bombs. For shorter-range attacks, the Tu-95 can deploy Kh-15 air-to-surface missiles—and the beasts can carry up to 20 tons of free-fall bombs.
There are defensive systems as well, such as tail-mounted 23mm AM-23 cannons on older models. The newest models, like the Tu-95MS, lack these—but have other improvements that have made them the centerpiece of Russia’s legendary bomber fleet. Onboard those newer Tu-95MS variants, one will find modern navigation, radar (Obzor-MS), and electronic countermeasures. Sadly for the Russians, though, this bird was built long before there was any semblance of computerization—and its analog roots drastically limit integration of cutting-edge technology compared to newer bombers, such as the Tu-160.
The Tu-95MS remains a pillar of Russia’s nuclear triad, carrying long-range cruise missiles. Its ability to loiter for hours and launch standoff weapons keeps it relevant, even though many in Moscow would love to squelch this bird, believing it to be antiquated. Today, Russia operates less than 60 of these sky monsters—down from a Cold War high of just over 500 across all variants.
Russia Wants a Base in Indonesia—but None Is Likely Forthcoming
It is possible that these birds may soon find a new home far from the frigid wilds of Russia. Moscow has reportedly expressed an interest in stationing part of its Tu-95 fleet at Indonesia’s Papua air base. Soon, Russian bomber pilots may be sitting in a balmy South Pacific airbase, sipping Kopi Tarik—all while waiting to hold hostage distant places, like Singapore or the U.S. Marine base in Darwin, Australia.
Such a move by Russia would represent a significant escalation on the Kremlin’s part to diversify its strategic holdings. After all, Russia’s overseas bases have been on the back foot. Its Kaliningrad naval base is under constant threat from NATO. Ukraine has bombarded Sevastopol, the headquarters of the Black Sea Fleet. And the Russian Navy and Air Force have been driven—or all but driven—from their Mediterranean bases at Tartus and Khmeimim by the decidedly-hostile new government of Syria.
So Russia not only desires to expand its reach beyond those zones, but also to have redundancies available. Russia has already lost Tartus as a major warm water port. If things continue deteriorating in Syria, Russia may yet lose access to their airbase in the country.
Thus, Russian planners have been eying chaotic Libya as one place to reposition its naval and air forces. They’ve also been looking to Sudan, along the contested Red Sea. Now, Russian military planners might be making even bolder moves to increase their footprint in the Indo-Pacific, a region that many assumed Russia had placed on the backburner.
Moscow wants to have some slots at Indonesia’s Manuhua Air Force base at Biak Numfor in the province of Papua. Of course, Australia is unlikely to take such a prospect lying down. “The prospect of Russian military aircraft based so close to the Australian mainland would set off alarm bells in Canberra and cause a furious political debate on the campaign trail,” wrote Stephen Dziedzic and Bill Birtles of the Australian Broadcast Service.
For their part, Canberra insists that Indonesia has already denied interest in the venture. If this is true, Moscow’s dreams of a warm air base in the South Pacific are likely to go unfulfilled—in the near term, at least.
Russia’s Global Position Is Growing Stronger
Regardless of what ultimately happens with this story, the fact of the matter is that Russia’s position around the world—even after three years of crushing sanctions and attrition warfare in Ukraine—is stronger than ever. Moscow is moving boldly with its own, independent strategies for reshaping the world more to its liking. The placing of nuclear-capable bombers more permanently in the Indo-Pacific would only showcase how serious Moscow was in making its pivot to Asia after holding back what it perceived as the NATO onslaught.
Russia will continue seeking such access points in this region, and many other parts of the world. This is just the start.
About the Author: Brandon J. Weichert
Brandon J. Weichert, a Senior National Security Editor at The National Interest as well as a contributor at Popular Mechanics, who consults regularly with various government institutions and private organizations on geopolitical issues. Weichert’s writings have appeared in multiple publications, including the Washington Times, National Review, The American Spectator, MSN, the Asia Times, and countless others. His books include Winning Space: How America Remains a Superpower, Biohacked: China’s Race to Control Life, and The Shadow War: Iran’s Quest for Supremacy. His newest book, A Disaster of Our Own Making: How the West Lost Ukraine is available for purchase wherever books are sold. He can be followed via Twitter @WeTheBrandon.
Image: Shutterstock / Konstantin Egorychev.
