Russia is to begin test flights of its new supersonic bomber in August.

The upgraded supersonic long-range bomber Tu-22M3M will make its first flight in August, the CEO of the Tupolev design bureau, Alexander Konyukhov revealed. The new aircraft will be equipped with new weapons such as Kh-32 long-range cruise missile, modern digital avionics and a new information management system.

According to the existing plan, the first Tu-22M3M with the most advanced Kh-32 long-range cruise missile will go on combat duty in long-range aviation in October this year.