Sergei Shoigu holds meeting on execution of state defence order and purchasing of light helicopters

In accordance with major program aimed at upgrading military air forces in the Russian Federation, about two thousand new air complexes, including 985 helicopters will be purchased by 2020.

Such information was given by the Russian Minister of defence Sergei Shoigu in Kazan at a meeting concerning execution of state defence order and purchasing of light helicopters.

Sergei Shoigu noted that the government had allocated considerable funds for the program realisation.

The meeting was held in administrative building of OAO “Kazan helicopters” with participation of the Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov, President of OAO “United aircraft corporation” Mikhail Pogosyan, Director General of OAO “Russian helicopters” Dmitry Petrov.

Issues of operation of purchased helicopters, quality of produce and extra demand for new helicopters were discussed at the meeting.

The Russian Minister of defence said that starting from 2013 it was planned to conclude contracts of full life circle for maintenance, repair and utilization of armory and military equipment.

President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov said that a lot of enterprises of defence and industrial complex were located in republic. Tatarstan is one of major suppliers of produce for needs of the Russian Ministry of defence, he said. According to Rustam Minnikhanov, Kazan helicopter plant is efficiently working nowadays.

A conversation between President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov and Russian Minister of defence Sergei Shoigu was held afterwards.