ENGELS (Saratov region), June 25 (RIA Novosti) - The Russian Air Force intends to modernize long-range aircraft, Air Force Commander-in-Chief General of the Army Vladimir Mikhailov said Saturday.

"We decided not to design new long-range aircraft," he said, "What we should do is the modernization of the Tu-160, TU-95MS and Tu-22M3 aircraft."

Mikhailov set the example of U.S. bombers B-52 used since 1961. After modernization they may be used till 2049.

"Tu-22M3 planes are used since 1980, Tu-95MS since 1981 and Tu-160 since 1987," the commander-in-chief said.

According to him, only one Tu-160 plane was built in 1987 and others were built later.

"We modernized the Tu-160 aircraft which can now carry both missiles and bombs," Mikhailov said.

Tu-95MS and Tu-22M3 have been modernized as well.

Long-range aircraft can eliminate terrorist bases outside Russia, the commander-in-chief said.