Russia will cross the "red line" if it stations Tu-160s in Cuba

Uh oh! Things are heating up...

ARTICLE:
U.S. general warns against Russian bombers in Cuba

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A top U.S. Air Force officer warned on Tuesday that Russia would be crossing "a red line" if it were to use Cuba as a refueling base for nuclear-capable bombers. Gen. Norton Schwartz, whose nomination to become the Air Force's top military officer is being considered by the Senate, was asked at his confirmation hearing how he would advise U.S. policymakers if Russia were to proceed with such a plan.
Russia's Izvestia newspaper this week quoted a "highly placed source" as saying Russia could land Tu-160 supersonic bombers nicknamed "White Swans" in Cuba as a response to a planned U.S. missile defense shield in Europe, which Moscow opposes.

"I certainly would offer best military advice that we should engage the Russians not to pursue that approach," Schwartz told the Senate Armed Services Committee.

"And if they did, I think we should stand strong and indicate that that is something that crosses a threshold, crosses a red line for the United States of America."

Russian Defense Ministry officials have tried to pour cold water on the report, saying the newspaper story was written under a false name and quoted a source at an organization that did not exist.

The suggestion of Russian nuclear weapons in Cuba is reminiscent of the 1962 Cuban missile crisis that followed the discovery of Soviet missile bases on the Caribbean island. The two-week crisis appeared to draw the Cold War to the verge of World War III, as President John F. Kennedy responded to the threat by authorizing a naval blockade of Cuba.

In the end, the Soviets agreed to dismantle the missile sites in exchange for a U.S. non-invasion pledge and a secret deal to remove American missiles from Turkey.

http://www.reuters.com/article/polit...29801920080722

By the way, this is the aircraft they're referring to; Tupolev Tu-160 "Black Jack".



With old analog cockpit. Current fleets are modernized with digital glass cockpits.


Underside.


Airshow.

The cheap Russian version of the B-1B Lancer... not a good thing to keep in Cuba.

Originally Posted by The Other Guy

The cheap Russian version of the B-1B Lancer... not a good thing to keep in Cuba.

Yes, lol, it looks just like the Lancer.



I wonder if Russia will ignore the US threat and go ahead with the Cuba thing. Any thoughts?

Can this be part of the "retaliation" package against the American missile defense move in easter europe / western Russia?

Shoulda listened to Patton!

Originally Posted by Lunatik

I wonder if Russia will ignore the US threat and go ahead with the Cuba thing. Any thoughts?

Can this be part of the "retaliation" package against the American missile defense move in easter europe / western Russia?

The US do push the Russians with the rocket shield and radar bases in eastern Europe and with the further possible NATO expansion to the East - it is plausible in my opinion they look at all alternatives available for protecting themselves, including aircrafts on Cuba and even Venezuela.

I'd say let 'em and post two F-15 squadrons in Florida to deal with them. That is track them, lock them on, piss 'em off...

Originally Posted by the_13th_redneck

I'd say let 'em and post two F-15 squadrons in Florida to deal with them. That is track them, lock them on, piss 'em off...

Thats like a time machine, get a F 18 sqaudron down at Pensecola paint the setting sun on thier tails and call them VFA 111. Then go shake some hands with Russia's finest somewhere over the Carribean.

Don't understimate the Russians however, Al Qadea pulled off a 500K priced attack and look what they accomplished. Analog or not, U.S. fighter pilots betting be ready. Before Mr. Putin left office, he took a tour of a Tu 160 base, and basically promised more funding.

Originally Posted by Lunatik

Yes, lol, it looks just like the Lancer.



I wonder if Russia will ignore the US threat and go ahead with the Cuba thing. Any thoughts?

Can this be part of the "retaliation" package against the American missile defense move in easter europe / western Russia?

I don't think so.

Russia doesn't have a viable Air Force to match the American one.
Moreover, she can't afford another Cold War...
So, it is all about SYMBOLS - symbolic flights, symbolic threats...
What real threat represents a pair or two of "Swans"?

If there is no wholesale nuclear war - none.
If it is - it doesn't matter, IMHO

And what if Russia stations a couple squadrons of Mig-29s as well for protecting the Tu-160s? I think that'd really heat things up.



By the way, I think Cuba already has some Mig-29s.