Connect with us

World

Russian Tu-160 strategic bombers with Su-35 fighters fly over Arctic waters: Moscow


Two Russian Tupolev Tu-160 strategic missile-carrying bombers performed a scheduled flight over the neutral waters of the Barents Sea and the Arctic Ocean, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported on Thursday.

“Two Tu-160 strategic missile-carrying bombers performed a scheduled flight in the airspace over the neutral waters of the Barents Sea and the Arctic Ocean. The flight lasted about eight hours,” the ministry said.

The Russian Tupolev Tu-160, also known as the “Blackjack” in NATO nomenclature, is a supersonic strategic missile-carrying bomber that stands as one of the most powerful weapons in Russia's military arsenal. Introduced in the 1980s, the Tu-160 is the heaviest combat aircraft ever built and has the largest wingspan among military aircraft in operational service. Capable of carrying nuclear and conventional stand-off missiles, the bomber plays a vital role in Russia's nuclear deterrence strategy.

Its ability to reach high speeds and travel long distances, coupled with in-flight refueling capability, makes it an essential asset in projecting power and influence. The Tu-160's sophisticated design, which includes a variable-sweep wing, and its potent payload capacity emphasize its strategic importance as a platform capable of delivering precision strikes across vast distances, reinforcing Russia's standing as a significant global military power.

The Russian ministry added: “The crews of Su-35 aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces provided fighter support for the flight.” The Su-35 is a highly advanced multirole fighter jet and one of the flagship aircraft in the Russian Air Force. With its superior agility, advanced avionics, and versatile weapon systems, it represents a significant leap in combat capability, providing Russia with a formidable asset for both air superiority and ground attack missions.

The Russian ministry stressed that the strategic bombers performed their flight in strict compliance with the international rules of using the airspace.

“Pilots of long-range aircraft regularly perform flights over the neutral waters of the Arctic, the Northern Atlantic, the Black and Baltic Seas and the Pacific Ocean,” the ministry said.

The regular flights of Russia's long-range aircraft over neutral waters, such as the Arctic, Northern Atlantic, Black and Baltic Seas, and the Pacific Ocean, are significant from both a military and political perspective. Militarily, these flights enable the Russian Air Force to maintain readiness and operational capability. They allow pilots to gain valuable experience in navigating strategically important regions and may also serve as reconnaissance missions.

By flying in these areas, Russia can gather intelligence and monitor the activities of other nations. Additionally, these flights can act as a demonstration of Russia's military reach, serving as a signal to potential adversaries.

On the political front, such flights can lead to tensions with Western countries, including the US, EU members, and NATO allies. Although conducted in international airspace, they may be perceived as aggressive or provocative.

The flights often come close to the borders or territorial waters of other states, and their proximity to NATO member countries can prompt quick responses by fighter jets, further raising diplomatic concerns. These tensions can be exacerbated by the perception that Russia is using these flights to probe defenses and response times, or as a deliberate show of force.

The strategic significance of these flights also cannot be ignored. The regions where they take place are often of high geopolitical interest. For example, the Arctic is emerging as an area of growing importance due to potential natural resources and new shipping routes. The Baltic and Black Seas are historically sensitive regions with substantial military presence from both NATO and Russia.

By conducting regular flights in these areas, Russia may aim to assert its interests and maintain a visible presence, underlining the multifaceted implications of these operations. These regular flights thus not only have implications for military readiness and capability but also for international relations, and they underline the complex interplay of power, presence, and perception in contemporary geopolitics.

Read more:

Russian Tu-95MS fly over Bering Sea, US tracks the aircraft operating in Alaska ADIZ

British fighter jets intercept 3 Russian military aircraft near NATO airspace

Russia: Su-27 fighters prevent border breach by UK jets, recon plane over Black Sea

Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

World

Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi meets with CEOs of leading Norwegian companies

H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, has met with a group of CEOs from leading Norwegian companies, as part of their participation in the UAE-Norway Investment Forum, held alongside his official visit to the Kingdom of Norway.

During the meeting, H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed underscored the UAE leadership’s commitment to strengthening economic cooperation with its international partners.

He highlighted that investment in innovation and knowledge is a cornerstone for achieving sustainable development, noting that enhancing collaboration with Norwegian companies across key sectors will open new avenues for mutual economic growth between the two countries.

The UAE-Norway Investment Forum, taking place in Oslo, aimed to highlight available investment opportunities and strengthen trade relations between the UAE and Norway, fostering shared interests and supporting innovation and knowledge-based economic visions.

-wam

Continue Reading

World

At the Indonesia International Book Fair 2024, TRENDS inaugurates 10th global office, releases four books

As part of its Asian research tour, partnership with Aletihad News Center, and
primary sponsorship of the Indonesia International Book Fair 2024, TRENDS
Research & Advisory inaugurated its office in Jakarta, marking its 10th location
worldwide. It also released four books in Indonesian.
The inauguration event was attended by ambassadors of the UAE, Bahrain, and
Jordan to Indonesia, chairpersons of the UAE and Indonesian Publishers’
Associations, the Director of TRENDS’ Jakarta office, and a group of researchers
and academics.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS
Research & Advisory, stated that TRENDS’ international offices—set to reach 15
by the end of 2024—aim to enhance the Center’s research efforts and deepen its
role in disseminating knowledge, thus serving as a global knowledge bridge.
He emphasized, “At TRENDS, we believe in the importance of cooperation
between think tanks and prioritize this endeavor. We believe the TRENDS office in
Jakarta will enhance the exchange of knowledge and ideas between think tanks in
Asia and the Middle East, opening new horizons for collaboration in various
fields.”

Four books in Indonesian
As part of the Jakarta office’s inaugural activities, four books were released in
Indonesian, including the 11th and 12th books of the Muslim Brotherhood
Encyclopedia and Global Trends in AI and Automation and the Future of
Competition between Man and Machine: An Analytical Forward-looking Vision.

Hostility to Arab states
The 11th book of the Muslim Brotherhood Encyclopedia, The Concept of the State
According to the Muslim Brotherhood, highlights its hostile stance toward Arab
states since its inception. The group views them as an obstacle to its ascent to
power. It opposed the modern principles upon which these states were built,
considering them incompatible with the group’s unique interpretation of Islam,
which it claimed to embody exclusively.

Exclusion of nonconformists
The 12th book, The Muslim Brotherhood: Rejection of Tolerance and Exclusion of
Nonconformists, examines the Muslim Brotherhood’s stance towards
nonconformists, individuals, and entities. The book reveals the group’s binary view
of the world, categorizing others as allies or adversaries. It ties these relationships
to the Brotherhood’s internal power struggles and self-serving interests.

Global Trends in AI
The third book, Global Trends in AI, explores significant developments in AI and
its impact on various aspects of life, including the economy, society, and
governance. It also offers a comprehensive analysis of technological advancements
in AI, its applications across sectors, the ethical and social challenges it presents,
and its future trajectory.

Automation

The fourth book, Automation and the Future of Competition between Man and
Machine: An Analytical Forward-looking Vision, addresses the growing challenges
faced by the human workforce in the face of widespread automation and AI
applications. The book concludes that while automation presents a significant
challenge to the labor market, it simultaneously creates new opportunities. It
emphasizes the importance of preparing for this shift through skills development,
continuous education, and adopting economic and social policies that support the
workforce.

Prominent pavilion and active presence
The TRENDS’ pavilion at the Indonesia International Book Fair has attracted
numerous visitors, including academic researchers and officials, such as the
ambassadors of the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, and Turkey. Additionally,
chairpersons of Arab and Indonesian publishers’ associations, authors, publishers,
and students visited the pavilion. All were impressed with and praised TRENDS’ diverse, valuable publications. They also commended TRENDS’ active
international presence and ability to address global developments with rigorous
analytical research.
Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali honored the esteemed guests, including
ambassadors of the UAE and Bahrain to Indonesia, Wedha Startesti Yudha,
Chairperson of the Indonesia International Book Fair Committee, Arys Hilman
Nugraha, Chairman of the Indonesian Publishers Association, and others,
presenting them with TRENDS’ publications and commemorative shields.
Additionally, he awarded TRENDS’ Research Medal to Ni Made Ayu Martini
Indonesian Deputy Minister of Marketing, Tourism and Creative Economy
It is worth noting that during its current Asian research tour, TRENDS announced
the launch of the TRENDS Research Medal, awarded to individuals who make
significant contributions to the development of scientific research and promote collaboration with TRENDS in strengthening a culture of research across various fields.

Continue Reading

World

US determined to prevent full-scale war in Middle East, Joe Biden tells UNGA79

US President Joe Biden highlighted the US Administration’s determination to prevent a wider war that engulfs the entire Middle East region, noting that a diplomatic solution “remains the only path to lasting security to allow the residents from both countries to return to their homes on the border safely”.

In remarks he made today before the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA79), the US President said, “Full-scale war is not in anyone’s interest,” adding that a diplomatic solution is still possible.

He also touched on “the rise of violence against innocent Palestinians on the West Bank”, and the need to “set the conditions for a better future”, which he said featured “a two-state solution, where the world — where Israel enjoys security and peace and full recognition and normalised relations with all its neighbours, where Palestinians live in security, dignity, and self-determination in a state of their own”.

President Biden underscored the ceasefire and hostage deal put forth by Qatar and Egypt, which the UN Security Council endorsed. He said, “Now is the time for the parties to finalise its terms, bring the hostages home,” adding that this would help ease the suffering in Gaza, and end the war.

-WAM

Continue Reading

Trending