Russian military and aviation experts are discussing plans to reuse the Tupolev Tu-214 civil passenger plane to turn it into a missile platform capable of launching Kh-101 and Kh-22 cruise missiles.
The aim of this proposal is to supplement or replace old strategic aircraft such as Tu-95 and Tu-22 bombers, in the context of the Russian long-range air force suffering certain losses in the conflict with Ukraine and facing many difficulties in production capacity.
Although Kazan Air Force - the maker of Tu-214 and other strategic aircraft - may support the proposal, observers say the amendment of the Tu-214 to suit military missions will require major changes in technology and logistics. Factors such as integrating a target range system, missile launch mechanism and defense measures will require significant investment in time and budget.
The Tu-214 is a twin-turbocharged rocket developed from the Tu-204 model during the Soviet era, with a maximum take-off weight of more than 110 tons, a payload of 25 tons and a range of about 7,000km. The plane was once expected to compete with the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320, but still mainly serves mid-range commercial routes.
In the past, the Tu-214 has had adjusted versions for special missions such as reconnaissance (Tu-214R) and observation under international treaties (Tu-214ON). However, switching to carrying cruise missiles is a completely new step.
A post on X in late March said that Russia may not produce enough Tu-214 as planned. The production target of 70 units by 2030 is doubtful about feasibility, as in 2025, it is expected to have 4 units, but in reality, there may only be 1 or even none completed, due to a shortage of technical engineers.
