Sergei Shoigu discussed on Tuesday with his generals the production of Tu-160M strategic missile carriers and the testing of training aircraft for VKS universities.
The Minister recalled that there is a plan for the supply of engines for the Tu-160M. "These strategic missile carriers provide the striking power of the air component of the state's nuclear triad. Therefore, improving their combat effectiveness is one of our top priorities. It is possible to advance in its solution by installing new NK-32 engines of the second series on the machines, which can significantly increase the range and duration of the flight by reducing the specific fuel consumption, " Shoigu said.
As for the new machines for training pilots, Shoigu noted: the material base of universities should include at least 500 modern training aircraft and 200 helicopters. "On a competitive basis, we are conducting comprehensive tests of two promising aircraft of initial flight training - the Yak-152 and the UTS-800," the minister reported. He stressed that the availability of well-trained pilots-graduates - and there should be at least 700 of them per year-allows us to effectively use the potential of existing and promising airline complexes.
The Minister recalled that on July 1, the selection of candidates for universities of the Ministry of Defense began in the places of residence of applicants, which will last until July 20. "Taking into account the epidemiological situation in the regions, 74 visiting groups from all universities are working," Shoigu said. According to him, the competition for military schools is more than three and a half people per place, and in a number of specialties - up to 8 people among young men and up to 20 - among girls. The most popular among applicants are command universities of the Land Forces, the Military Medical Academy, the Military University, the Ryazan Airborne Command School. "This year we plan to accept more than 13 thousand first - year students," Shoigu said.
Among pre-university educational institutions, the highest competition is for the Kyzylsky Presidential Cadet School: seven boys and 11 girls for a place. Traditionally, there are many people who want to study in the Tver, Moscow and Tula IEDs, Moscow and St. Petersburg boarding schools of pupils of the Ministry of Defense. On average, the competition in them is five people per place.
Shoigu also said that graduates of pre-university educational organizations of the Ministry of Defense will be enrolled in command-profile educational institutions in a special order.
Yuri Gavrilov