Opinion How Operating Tu-160 Bomber Could Be a Hefty Burden for India with $350 Million Price Tag and $30,000 Per Hour Operational Cost

India's pursuit of long-range strategic bombers has led to discussions about potentially acquiring the Russian-made Tupolev Tu-160 "Blackjack." While the Tu-160 boasts impressive capabilities with its supersonic speed, vast payload capacity, and long range, the acquisition and operation of this formidable bomber come with a hefty price tag.

Acquiring a single Tu-160 could cost India an estimated $270 million to $300 million, based on previous procurement data and adjusted for inflation and modernization. However, this figure only accounts for the aircraft itself. Additional expenses for associated equipment, training, infrastructure, and long-term maintenance could push the total procurement cost per unit beyond $350 million.

Operational costs are equally significant. The Tu-160's four turbojet engines consume a substantial amount of fuel, estimated at 3,000 to 4,000 gallons per hour. With aviation fuel costs averaging $3 per gallon, fuel expenses alone could reach $9,000 to $12,000 per hour of operation.

Maintenance is another significant contributor to the operational cost. As a large and complex aircraft, the Tu-160 requires substantial upkeep, including periodic overhauls. Estimates suggest that maintenance could cost anywhere between $8,000 and $15,000 per hour of operation.

Factoring in crew salaries, the upkeep of complex avionics and systems, and other operational expenses, the total hourly operating cost of a Tu-160 could range from $19,200 to $30,000. This translates to a significant financial commitment for India, should they choose to procure these bombers.

While the Tu-160 offers undeniable strategic advantages in terms of range, speed, and payload capacity, these costs must be carefully weighed against India's defence budget and long-term strategic needs. The high operational and procurement costs are part of a broader equation that includes the need for advanced bombers to enhance India's deterrence capabilities.

 

[sanket]

I have said several Times that Bharat should buy Bombers atleast 9 to 12 in Nos, why not if IN can have AC, SSN SSBN & conventional Subs Plus P-8 Submarine killer, Then why Not Arm IAF with more teeth.

 

[Neal.B]

I will stick to the number of 12 despite the cost it comes with. Our 4 and 4.5 gen fighters costs almost similar in terms of price per unit and cost per flight hour.

 

[MANIVANNAN N]

Price recently is 150million dollar. I think price quoted is not correct. Excelleent bomber. Atleast 15 units needed for iaf. It is worth for streadigic use.

 

[Anant]

Price recently is 150million dollar. I think price quoted is not correct. Excelleent bomber. Atleast 15 units needed for iaf. It is worth for streadigic use.

Nope. The 150 million USD figure is incorrect. The Russian order for 10 new Tu-160Ms back in 2018 came to roughly 270 million USD each when adjusted to today.

Now, add in the premium of setting up infrastructure for the bombers, weapons, spares, training, sales premium, etc, and that price will skyrocket to something like 400 million USD apiece.

At that kind of price, you may as well just use missiles.

 

[PKPRS]

Anything in the world will be 1/4 or 1/5th the price of Rafale, if it is a strategic bomber it will cost, they travel very long distances and need constant maintenance, it’s a known fact, it is not Gripen to be maintenance free.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Get improvised SU57 instead.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Can it fly in contested airspace? If not then we can wait for it and procure 5th gen fighter jets before setting our eyes on bombers.

 

[Double Tap]

Can it fly in contested airspace? If not then we can wait for it and procure 5th gen fighter jets before setting our eyes on bombers.

not even B1 lancer or B2 can fly in contested airspace

 

[Double Tap]

Instead Modify P-8 to carry Brahmos

 

[WarTech]

not even B1 lancer or B2 can fly in contested airspace

B2 can. And so can B21. The rest of the bombers in the world can't tho.

 

[PKPRS]

Get improvised SU57 instead.

We are getting those also.

 

[PKPRS]

Can it fly in contested airspace? If not then we can wait for it and procure 5th gen fighter jets before setting our eyes on bombers.

It will stay safe and high far away and decimate the enemy.

 

[Double Tap]

B2 can. And so can B21. The rest of the bombers in the world can't tho.

NO they cant F-117 was downed in contested airspace with Primitive airdefense , and same will happen with B-2 flying into Integrated AD areas supported by Interceptors large bombers have advantage to carry large quantity of Cruise and Aero Ballastic missiles no bombs

 

[tipoo2]

It's not a high priority right now for geographical reasons. The mountain range separating us and China makes bombers impossible to get through and even their nearby J20 squadron needs to operate at half fuel and loadout, and Pakistan is narrow enough to have access to every area we would need to strike, and we also have the Ayni and Farkhor airbases on the other side of them which could be used to pincer them from the other side.

Over the long arm of time I'm sure India will have bombers. We just need fighters above everything right now. By the 2040s or 2050s when we may start to think about bombers, this will be even more outdated, and in that future we should probably develop our own stealth one instead.

 

[tipoo2]

Price recently is 150million dollar. I think price quoted is not correct. Excelleent bomber. Atleast 15 units needed for iaf. It is worth for streadigic use.

Please describe the strategic use then. I'll start you off: There's a giant mountain range separating us from anything we'd need to strike in our largest and most threatening neighbour which large heavy bombers can't get over.

 

[Anant]

Instead Modify P-8 to carry Brahmos

Won't happen, boss. Integrating the BrahMos would require structural modifications to the aircraft and would require changes to the source codes. The US will not agree to a weapon of Russian origin to be integrated.

 

[What the heck]

I have said several Times that Bharat should buy Bombers atleast 9 to 12 in Nos, why not if IN can have AC, SSN SSBN & conventional Subs Plus P-8 Submarine killer, Then why Not Arm IAF with more teeth.

Dedicated bombers have their own advantages compared to Ballistic missiles or long range Cruise missiles for their versatility to carry multiple tools not only missile's.

 

[Anubhav Sharma]

US is also retiring it's some bombers which can be refurbished and bought as they have better tech and sensors also it will diffuse and leverage trumps concern over indo Russian trade.

And if US refuse then we have a good explanation why we bought Russian Tu160.

 

[Dipesh Debnath]

C17 revolver add-on system can launch 12+ missiles from opened rear ramp.

 

[Sanatani Yodha]

Such Bombers are of no use in present situation if India… our application is limited to our neighbours ie Pakistan and China… these huge flying machines would be an easy target for heavily guarded air space of these two enemy nations… so they don’t have any utility for deep strike… our missiles will take care of it…. In future if India wants to becomes a heavy weight military power and plans to project its military might across the world, then such platforms will provide its utility…. Again, bombers don’t fly alone… like aircraft carriers, these mammoth flying machines are accompanied by dedicated fighter jets, refuelers etc… means they need dedicated support units… again which in turn demands significant large squadrons size of IAF… but right now, IAF is struggling with ~30 squadrons against sanctioned levels of 42 squadrons!!!! So things doesn’t fit right now….

 

[BCharlie]

I have said several Times that Bharat should buy Bombers atleast 9 to 12 in Nos, why not if IN can have AC, SSN SSBN & conventional Subs Plus P-8 Submarine killer, Then why Not Arm IAF with more teeth.

Buying fighters is easy and quick decisions to buy in 5 - 7 yrs .. commissions are made in quick time.. Buying 8 or 10 Tu-160s is not easy as everybody will be watching & want their pound of flesh.. exposure is eminent. Looks like USA, our bosom buddy will not sell us heavy long range bombers like B-1 or B-2s;

 

[ASHOK CARROL]

Once India gets out of its fixation of two front war and sea control from Malacca Straits to South Africa and red sea , persian gulf from regional power the break out to being a global power with intercontinental reach her armed forces will require long range bombers. With inadequate money for Capital purchases only after pending projects of three services as per rearmament plan 2012 -2027 are acquired and budget increased exponentially the 10 trillion dollar economy by 2027 must Start inducting 6-8 TU-160 and post 2035 another 12-14 PAK -DA bombers with 3+ 3 based in north and South Andaman, 6 based in Naval base in Tamil Nadu with repairs, training, simulators set up over there 4-6 Based in Barelli and 4at charbatia or kailakunda. A composite Squadron of 22-24 bombers will make the IAF a very formidable Air and space force provided Hyper sonic missiles besides the normal missiles are carried by the bombers, procured and then manufactured in India. A budget of 7-12 Billion dollars would be required to raise equip the squadron spread over 7 to 10 years at an yearly increase of over 1 billion every year well within the IAFs budget and if political and bureaucratic will is shown. A national strategic review is the urgent need of the hour and the babus need to display spine and accept responsibility and accountability for the nations armed forces.