First seen almost half a century ago, the Tupolev Tu-16 'Badger' was one of the Soviet Union's first strategic jet bombers to enter service in significant numbers an also the first with an entirely local-designed engine, in this case the Mikulin RD-3 turbojet. Featuring sleek swept-back wings and swept tail, the Tu-16 was a major improvement over its predecessor, the Tu-4 although its range only allowed it to operate in theaters close to the USSR. At first, Tu-16 were designed to drop free-fall bombs, both conventional and nuclear, but later variants were modified to carry a variety of cruise missiles especially for the anti-ship role. Besides their role as a bomber and missile carrier, the Tu-16 has also served as an inflight-refueling tanker and as an electronic warfare platform; it was these versions which remained the longest in service with the USSR and Russia (they were used extensively during the Afghanistan War) although they were also exported to Egypt, Iraq and Indonesia as well as license-produced in China (where it is known as the H-6).

The prototype of this bomber was originally designated Tu-88 and had its maiden flight on 27 April 1952. It entered service in the middle of the decade as the Tu-16 'Badger-A', the initial bomber variant which accounted for the biggest share of aircraft built, sub-variants included the Tu-16A (nuclear-capable), Tu-16E (longer range), Tu-16M (maritime strike) and Tu-16N (tanker). This was followed by the Tu-16KS 'Badger-B' designed to carry the AS-1 anti-ship missile and later the Tu-16K-10 'Badger-C' which carries the AS-2. A modification of this variant, known as the Tu-16K-10-26 'Badger-C Mod', allowed it to be equipped with the AS-6 and added a radome in place of the gun and glazed nose. The ultimate versions of the Tu-16 were the Tu-16K-11 'Badger-G' and Tu-16K-26 'Badger-G Mod' which could carry AS-5 and AS-6 anti-ship missiles respectively. Other notable variants (among the many others too numerous to list) with different roles include the Tu-16PP 'Badger-H' ECM escort and Tu-16R 'Badger-E' electronic and maritime reconnaissance aircraft.