On January 17, 2022, strategic bombers have always been a symbol of great power air force strength, and the United States and Russia successively possess the Strategic Air Force Three Musketeers. Strategic bombers are a significant test of scientific research capabilities and industrial foundations, so 60 years later, the United States and Russia still hold a monopoly position in the field of strategic bombers. In contrast, China only has one H-6 bomber, derived from the Soviet Tu-16, and it is subsonic in speed, radius, and payload, which cannot form a deterrent.So, it is crucial and necessary for China to find ways to acquire strategic bombers, but like nuclear weapons, it is difficult to spend money to purchase such strategic weapons. In 1994, as the military situation between Russia and China gradually improved, China hoped to purchase 12 Tu-22 Backfire strategic bombers. Against the backdrop of history, China's purchase of bombers and Russia's complex mentality have gone from refusing to sell to hesitating.

In 1952, the United States developed the Thief Bomber (B58).The Thief Bomber integrated the strongest equipment at the time, equipped with four J79 engines, each with a thrust of 7 tons, a flight speed of 2 Mach, a combat radius of 3500 kilometers, and carrying four MK43 nuclear bombs with an explosive yield of 1 million tons. It was also equipped with capsule ejection seats to ensure the pilot's escape. From a performance perspective, the Thief bomber is more like a fighter jet than a bomber. In 1957, the Soviet Union developed the Eyemask Bomber. Eyepatch bomber, weighing 90 tons, flying at a speed of 1.5 Mach, with a combat radius of 2500 kilometers, capable of carrying AS4 nuclear powered cruise missiles and KH22 conventional powered cruise missiles. Due to high costs and accident rates,the Thief bomber became the shortest lived bomber, and the United States subsequently launched the even more shocking Valkyrie bomber. The Valkyrie bomber (XB70) flies at a speed of 3 Mach.The Soviet Union launched the Red Valkyrie bomber. The Red Valkyrie Bomber (codenamed T4) weighs 125 tons,flies at a speed of 3 Mach, and has a combat radius of 3500 kilometers.

The Red Valkyrie Bomber has impressive performance data, but the cost is unacceptable. The nickname is 125 tons of gold, and the weight of gold is equal to the takeoff weight.The Backfire Bomber, with an overall design similar to the Eyepatch Bomber, uses the existing avionics system of the Eyepatch Bomber. Although the Backfire bomber looks like an upgraded version of the Eyepatch bomber, the Figure 22M is actually a newly developed model. Adding an 'M' was mainly to mislead Western countries, but also to gain quick recognition from the Soviet government, as theoretically, improvement has a lower cost and shorter cycle than re development. The biggest difference in appearance between the Eyepatch Bomber and the Backfire Bomber is the engine: the Eyepatch Bomber has the engine installed at the base of the vertical tail, making daily maintenance very troublesome; Backfire bomber, with engines installed on both sides of the fuselage, is easy to maintain on a daily basis. The only common feature between the Eyemask Bomber and the Backfire Bomber is the front landing gear and hatch.Backfire bomber, equipped with a brand new nose and radar cover, with a wedge-shaped intake duct similar to the MiG-25 fighter jet, and a movable wing sweep angle of 65 degrees. The automation level of the avionics system is higher, and at the same time, the NK25 engine is replaced. Backfire bomber, with a combat radius of 4000 kilometers, a maximum payload of 125 tons, and a flight speed of 2 Mach. The Strategic Arms Limitation Talks between the United States and the Soviet Union caused trouble for the Backfire bomber.

The United States believed that the combat range of the Backfire bomber could reach 5000 kilometers, while the Soviet Union claimed that the combat radius of the Backfire bomber was only 4000 kilometers. However, in order to save face for the United States, the Soviet Union made concessions and agreed to cancel the aerial refueling of the Backfire bomber, rendering it incapable of intercontinental strategic attack. In fact, the Reverse Bomber canceled the refueling probe and replaced it with a smooth fairing. The Soviet Union still had a hand and could install the refueling probe at any time.Backfire bomber, with a combat radius of 4000 kilometers, can refuel up to 6000 kilometers in the air. Backfire bomber with 2 built-in bomb bays; Has 4 external hangers; The payload capacity can reach 25 tons. The performance is strong enough to be equivalent to the strategic deterrence of nuclear weapons. So, without any export records, I'm always worried about retaliating against others.The introduction of the Backfire bomber has caused headaches for the United States, let alone China.In the 1970s, Sino Soviet relations were strained. The counterattack bomber attack has become an undeniable target for China. The J-6 fighter jet cannot be seen; J-7 fighter jets cannot catch up; The J-8 fighter jet cannot fight. The performance of fighter jets is not as good as bombers, and it's too dreamy to intercept them.

Air defense missiles are also outdated, and guerrilla tactics are still used. Faced with supersonic counterattack bombers, they have the heart but the strength is insufficient. The improvement of Sino US relations, with the United States even upgrading its J-8 fighter jets, has only one purpose: how to effectively intercept counter attack bombers. China has mixed feelings towards the Backfire bomber, and envy goes without saying. The key is how to defend against it. At one point, the talk of Backfire turned pale, but its breakthrough was impeccable. The disintegration of the Soviet Union, the former air pressure disappeared instantly, and the advanced weapons that were once highly sought after were suddenly placed in front of us to pick at will. Then came the most valuable military purchase, the Su-27 flanker fighter jet: China replicated the Su-27 flanker fighter jet and had the J-11 fighter jet; China imitates the Su-30 Super Sideguard fighter jet and has the J-16 fighter jet; China imitates the Su-33 carrier based aircraft and has the J-15 carrier based aircraft. The significance is extraordinary, as the Chinese Air Force has undergone qualitative changes directly. Purchase S300 anti-aircraft missiles; Purchase modern class destroyers; The willingness to purchase strategic bombers is also strong. In 1994, during the Yellow Sea standoff, the US aircraft carrier battle group took the initiative and formed a strategic deterrence. In 1996, during the Taiwan Strait Crisis, the US aircraft carrier battle group took the initiative and formed a strategic deterrence. Backfire bombers are more suitable for us. For example, deploying the entire brigade, 24 counter fire bombers carrying KH22 anti-ship missiles, firing in unison in different directions. One aircraft can carry 3 missiles, and 24 aircraft can carry 72 missiles. Backfire bombers can launch anti-ship missiles in unison and then turn around and leave. Backfire bomber attack is enough to paralyze an aircraft carrier battle group. This is why the United States and the Soviet Union conducted arms negotiations, and why the United States included the Backfire in its strategic bombers and then imposed constraints. The dissolution of the Soviet Union led to China's multiple purchases of the Backfire bomber from Russia, and China's multiple purchases of the Backfire bomber from Ukraine to replace the H-6 bomber. The H-6 bomber is severely at a disadvantage and spends most of its time dropping bombs from the air. There are only 24 H-6Ns that can carry anti-ship missiles. The payload is limited, the penetration is not feasible, and there is a lack of high-precision attack capability.

Source: Military of Strong Countries