Russia to preserve its lead in military aircraft production: Putin

Moscow, Aug 21 (UNI) Russian President Vladimir Putin today declared that the country would strive to preserve its global leadership in the production of military aircraft and expand its presence on global civilian aviation markets.

He was inaugurating the 8th International Aviation and Space Salon, MAKS-2007, at Zhukkovsky, near Moscow.

''This is not just an exhibition and an air show of the world class. MAKS became the key aviation holiday of our country,'' President Putin said, adding, ''It continues historic traditions of aviation parades and air holidays, which have always been held in our country.'' The organisers of the MAKS-2007 said over 540 Russian companies and 250 foreign firms from over 100 countries were participating in the air show this year.

Major Russian aircraft manufacturers will exhibit their civilian and military aircraft as part of the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), rather than as separate companies.

UAC, which was formed in 2006 to help overcome the crisis in Russia's aircraft industry, incorporates many of the country's best-known aircraft builders, including Sukhoi, Mikoyan, Ilyushin, Irkut, Sukhoi, Tupolev, and Yakovlev and other enterprises in the industry.

The Sukhoi said it would conclude a number of deals for its famed family of Su-27 Flanker-B and Su-30 Flanker-C fighters.

The MiG corporation will showcase its MiG-29K fighter, a modernised version of the famous MiG-29 Fulcrum.

Overall, the Russian Air Force will be represented at the MAKS-2007 air show by more than 20 models of modern aircraft, including Tu-160 Blackjack and Tu-95MS Bear strategic bombers, the new Yak-130 light fighter/trainer, the Su-34 Fullback strike aircraft, and the Ka-50 Hokum attack helicopter.

UAC General Director Alexei Fyodorov earlier said that Russia is planning to manufacture more than 4,500 civilian and military aircraft by 2025, worth 250 billion dollars .

UNI