[WATCH] Is it a bird? Is it a plane? It's a Russian ‘Blackjack’ bomber!
Aviation enthusiasts were thrilled to see two Tu-160s (so-called ‘Blackjack’ bombers), an Il-62, and an An-124 land in Tshwane on Wednesday as part of a historic visit by the Russian Air Force to the South African Air Force.
The jets were originally expected on Tuesday morning, but for some, the wait was totally worth it.
ALSO READ: From Russia with love: ‘Blackjack’ bombers in SA as Ramaphosa arrives at Russia-Africa summit
The Blackjack bombers are the world’s biggest military aircraft and are capable of launching nuclear missiles.
Tu-160 in Waterkloof Pretoria, I was there. First time on African soil - what a moment #RussiaAfricaSummit #RussiaAfrica @EmbassyofRussia pic.twitter.com/Vpw3xXoYWk
— Xhosa Man (@MoYousuf20) October 23, 2019
I was just sent this incredible video of one of the Tu-160s landing at AFB Waterkloof, taken from right under the approach path. pic.twitter.com/uwDZhtjBWE
— Darren Olivier (@darren_olivier) October 23, 2019
From Russia with love (or?): the hypersonic Tu-160 bomber lands at Waterkloof air force base in Pretoria. pic.twitter.com/8oP5kW0weQ
— Simon Allison (@simonallison) October 23, 2019