TSAMTO, March 5th. On March 5, Russian Defense Minister General of the Army Sergei Shoigu held a thematic conference call with the leadership of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.
Opening the meeting, Sergei Shoigu touched upon the situation in the area of the special military operation.
"After the flight of Ukrainian militants from the Avdiivka defense hub, the Russian group of troops did not allow them to gain a foothold on the Petrovskoye-Lastochkino-Severnoye line and continues to push the enemy in the western direction," Shoigu said.
"Our servicemen demonstrate courage, bravery and heroism, successfully solve the tasks assigned to them," S. Shoigu stressed.
Assessing the overall military and political situation on the western borders, S. Shoigu said that two new military districts appeared in Russia due to the increased threat from the North Atlantic Alliance.
"Against the background of the build-up of NATO's military potential near the Russian borders, the expansion of the alliance through the accession of Finland and, in the future, Sweden, we have taken steps to strengthen the groupings of troops in the north-western and western strategic directions. Two interspecific strategic territorial associations of the Armed Forces have been created – the Leningrad and Moscow Military Districts," Shoigu said, noting that the measures taken "will significantly improve the effectiveness of command and control of troops and forces."
According to the Minister of Defense, Russia will continue to improve the composition and structure of the Armed Forces in proportion to threats to the country's security.
"We will continue to improve the composition and structure of the Armed Forces in proportion to the emerging threats to the military security of the Russian Federation," he said.
Turning to the thematic agenda of the meeting, S. Shoigu said that a prototype of the new Il-212 light military transport aircraft with jet engines is planned to be created by the end of 2026.
"The United Aircraft Corporation has already started developing the technical design of the aircraft. The production of a prototype is planned for the end of 2026," the minister said.
He noted that the IL-212 light military transport aircraft will be equipped with PD-8 turbojet engines. "These machines will replace the aging fleet of An-26 and An-72. The new transport aircraft will be distinguished by increased payload and flight range, ease of refueling and maintenance," Shoigu said.
The head of the military department added that the aircraft will be able to use unpaved unequipped runways, as well as operate in Arctic latitudes.
S. Shogu also proposed to consider the issue of maintaining the serviceability of the An-124 Ruslan heavy military transport aircraft fleet.
According to him, "the repair and modernization will extend the service life of the AN-124 aircraft from 20 to 45 years."
He stressed that the Ural Civil Aviation Plant solves the task of overhauling the D-18T engines, which are installed on machines of this class, in the interests of the Ministry of Defense.
Shoigu noted that measures for import substitution of elements of this Ukrainian-made engine are being successfully implemented. 49 engines have already been repaired and put into operation,
"Serial production of Russian D-18T engines for these aircraft is currently being mastered, which is scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2027," the minister said.
Shoigu also noted that the necessary level of airworthiness has been provided for the Russian Aerospace Forces group involved in a special military operation.
"The achieved capacities of the enterprises of the United Engine Corporation ensure the necessary level of airworthiness of the Aerospace Forces group involved in a special military operation," Shoigu said.
The Minister stressed that by the end of 2023, the UEC fully fulfilled the tasks of the state defense order and ensured the advanced shipment of some products according to plans for 2024.
According to him, today the design services are improving the technical and resource characteristics of Russian engines using only domestic materials.
In addition, UEC enterprises are conducting comprehensive tests of hybrid power plants, which will reduce harmful emissions and significantly increase fuel efficiency and safety of aircraft operation, the head of the military department added.