#15 - RW 12-17-04 - RW Home
RUSSIAN LONG-RANGE AVIATION READY TO DELIVER PINPOINT STRIKES AGAINST TERRORISTS

MOSCOW, December 14 (RIA Novosti) - Russian long-range aviation is ready to deliver preventive and pinpoint strikes on terrorists, Lieutenant General Igor Khvorov, Commander of the 37 special air force, was quoted by RIA Novosti as saying.

"Nowadays terrorists target whole states rather than pinpoint objectives inside a country. That is why long-range aviation is ready to offer preventive and pinpoint strikes on terrorist bases," Igor Khvorov said.

According to the official, the Tu-22M3 aircraft, capable of carrying any types of air bombs, suits the task well. "As a matter of fact, the aircraft is not new. Long-range bombers delivered similar attacks on Afghanistan in the 1980s," Lieutenant General Khvorov remarked.

At the same time the official pointed out that it is inexpedient, though possible, to use Tu-95 and Tu-160 for such purposes.