Russia bombers in exercises near France

Two of Russia's strategic bombers made a long-range flight to fire missiles during naval exercises in the Bay of Biscay off France, an air force spokesman said Tuesday, according to the ITAR-Tass news agency.

The exercises in waters off France's southwestern coast reflected Russia's increasing military assertiveness, demonstrating that armed forces once severely undermined by funding shortages are returning to strength as Russia's economy booms.

The two Tu-160s — called "Blackjacks" by NATO — were intercepted and then tailed by British and Norwegian jets as they flew over international waters to participate in the exercises, Col. Alexander Drobyshevsky was quoted as telling ITAR-Tass.

The bombers "carried out a series of military training tasks and conducted tactical missile launches," Drobyshevsky said.

In August, President Vladimir Putin returned Russia's bombers to long-range patrols over the Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic oceans for the first time since the 1991 Soviet breakup, flexing military muscle amid a political campaign at home and strained relations with the West.

Fighter jets from Britain and Norway have repeatedly escorted the Russian planes when they skirt Europe's western edge.

Britain's military confirmed Tuesday that Royal Air Force Tornado fighters were scrambled and escorted the latest bombers as they flew to the Bay of Biscay. The military characterized the incident as routine.

There were no reports of the Tu-160s violating any country's air space during their flight from the Engels air base near the central Russian city of Saratov.

The supersonic Tu-160 is one of two strategic bombers in the Russian air force, along with the turboprop Tu-95 "Bear."