 By 1994 Engels had five Tu-160 bombers in operation, and that same year the 1096th Heavy Bomber Aviation Regiment was redesignated the 121st Heavy Bomber Aviation Regiment, adopting its colours and traditions.In 1998 the START I treaty exchange of information had shown it had 20 operational Tupolev Tu-95 bombers and six Tu-160 bombers, all with cruise missile capability.From 1999 to 2001 the base received eight Tu-160s from Ukraine paid for by gas price reductions.