Manturov praised the Su-35S, and Mishustin gave money for the Tu-214
After a four-year hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Le Bourget airfield north of the French capital has once again gathered thousands of participating companies and huge crowds of aviation enthusiasts from all over the world. But he missed some of his regulars. For the first time in decades, Russia was not represented at the next Paris Aerospace Salon, held from June 19 to 25.
However, Russian officials remained faithful to the tradition of devoting part of the precious summer time to aviation topics. Denis Manturov, First Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, commented on the transfer of the next batch of Su aircraft to the Aerospace Forces (VKS). According to him, the Su-35S single-seat multipurpose fighter "can perform a wide range of tasks and enjoys deserved success." This is stated in a message dated June 23 posted on the website of the Russian government of the Russian Federation. Su-35S fighters are widely used during a special military operation (SVO) and have repeatedly gained the upper hand in air battles with Ukrainian aviation. This type of aircraft is produced by the Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aviation Production Association (KnAAPO).
Towards the end of June, the company carried out the first delivery of this type of vehicles under the state defense order this year. During the factory tests, each aircraft was tested in the air in various operating modes, after which they flew to one of the military airfields, where they will be based. According to Yuri Slyusar, President of the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), the next batches of Su-35S are already in production, and the volume of deliveries of fifth-generation Su-57 fighters (which are also being assembled at KnAAPO) will be increased in 2023. It is known that the next, fourth contract for serial Su-35S was issued by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation in 2021, deliveries under it are expected to be completed in the next couple of years.
Earlier in June, the UAC announced the transfer to the Russian Aerospace Forces of a batch of Su-34 front-line bombers assembled by the Novosibirsk Aircraft Factory. About this machine, also widely involved in the course of its own, the following is stated in the corresponding press release. "The Su-34 has advanced combat capabilities that allow the use of advanced aviation weapons, which will increase the range of destruction of ground and surface targets, expand the conditions and accuracy of bombing." According to reports from the front, the Su-34 began to use adjustable aerial bombs with an attached block of aerodynamic surfaces, thanks to which, when dropped from a high altitude, they can fly tens of kilometers, thereby allowing the carrier aircraft not to enter the zone of destruction of the enemy air defense system.
Another winged aircraft that attracted the attention of high officials is the Tu-214 airliner. The Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation was engaged in solving the accumulated issues on expanding its production at the Kazan Aviation Production Association (CAPO). For Mikhail Mishustin, this was the main topic of his working trip to the Republic of Tatarstan (RT). In the final assembly shop of the KAPO, he was shown another Tu-160M2 strategic bomber and the Tu-214, which is in a high degree of readiness, in an option for a special customer. To the questions of the company's employees, how the state can help them, the Moscow guest answered: "There is a decision – about it a little later, at a meeting: our president supported it, and it will provide you with the resources to produce 20 products a year."
After getting acquainted with the products of KAPO, Mishustin held a meeting where it was said: the confirmed need of air carriers in the Tu-214 is about 150 units, including 20 firm orders, 67 agreements of intent, the rest – applications. In accordance with previously agreed plans, KAPO is working on the production of a batch of 70 aircraft with an annual production rate of 10 units in 2025. For this purpose, the plant has already allocated 12 billion rubles. The next task is to double the rate of output by 2027. 83.6 billion rubles are needed for its implementation. "If we solve all financial security, do you guarantee execution?" Mishustin asked the representatives of the plant management. And, having received an approving response, summarized: "Agreed!"
Stressing the high importance of serial production of the Tu-214, the Prime Minister backed up his words with a message: "In agreement with the President of Russia, I want to inform you about the decision that was made the day before – the allocation of 41.8 billion rubles from the national welfare fund for this project." The remaining required funds (approximately 42 billion rubles) will be allocated through Rostec Corporation in the form of bond loans.
Although the main variant of the Tu-214 is considered a civilian, designed to carry 210 passengers, the car is also available in a special version. And at present, such options make up the majority of the flying fleet. For several years before the start of the SVO, the Tu-214 was built at a rate of one or two pieces per year exclusively on orders from government agencies. The new "carcasses" were transferred to the Ministry of Defense and the special flight detachment "Russia", specializing in the transportation of the president and members of the government. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation uses its aircraft as a means of transporting military leaders, as well as for aerial photography (Tu-214ON variant) and radar reconnaissance (Tu-214R). In addition, a maritime patrol variant of the type of the American P-8 Poseidon was considered. It is clear that most of the new-release cars will be delivered to airlines, however, the military is unlikely to miss the opportunity to purchase an additional number of "carcasses". Especially acute in the active army is the need for the Tu-214R. Moreover, the capabilities of the equipment installed on it significantly exceed those on the outdated, but still used within the framework of its Il-20, Il-22 and Il-38 aircraft.
Vyacheslav Ivanov
