Russian navy aircraft test new equipment over the Arctic

Moscow, Sep 4 (UNI) The Tu-142MK aircraft from Russia's Northern Fleet conducted reconnaissance flights over the Batents and Laptev seas on September 2-3 and successfully tested new electronic on-board equipment, the Fleet's press service said today.

Tu-142 Bear-F is the maritime reconnaissance-strike version of the Tu-95 strategic bomber, designed mainly for anti-submarine warfare, it added.

''The tests of new on-board electronic equipment and weapons-control systems showed their high effectiveness,'' the press service said.

The flights have been conducted strictly in accordance with international agreements and the norms of international law, it stressed.

Russia has recently stepped up regular strategic bombers patrol over the Arctic, saying it may soon shift the focus of its military strategy towards the northern latitudes in order to ''protect its national interests'' in the Arctic, especially on its continent shelf, which may contain large deposits of oil and natural gas.

UNI XC RJ ND1730