In June the Russians and Chinese announced a deal under which China would license-produce Backfire (Tu-22M3) bombers for its navy, replacing the current unlicensed version of the old Soviet-era Badger (Tu-16). The Russians will provide two pattern aircraft, and the Chinese will build another 34, the reported Chinese designation being H-10. The Russians will supply the engines as the Chinese have found it difficult to produce reliable modern jet engines for other Russian or Russian-like aircraft.
