Rustam Minnikhanov takes part in the presentation of the upgraded Tu-22M3M missile-carrying bomber

On August 16, at the flight-test base of Gorbunov Kazan Aviaton Plant Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of Russia Oleg Bocharov, Russia’s Long-Range Aviation Commander Lieutenant-General Sergei Kobylash, President of United Aircraft Corporation Yury Slyusar and other officials took part in the ceremony of rolling out the first upgraded bomber prototype of Tu-22M3M missile-carrying bomber.

In his welcome speech, Minnikhanov noted that Kazan Aviation Plant is undergoing positive changes, and a lot of work is underway to modernize its production facilities.

“There were times when we came to this plant to solve some complicated problems related to its future. Today we can say for sure that Kazan Aviation Plant is a modern enterprise with a promising future,” Tatarstan President added.

He stressed that the upgraded Tu-22M3M  missile-carrying bomber is in demand among defense agencies.

Minnikhanov expressed his gratitude to the President of Russia Vladimir Putin for his special attention to strengthening the defense capability of Russia.

Then, Minnikhanov handed in state awards of the Republic of Tatarstan to the factory employees.

Welcoming participants of the ceremony on behalf of the Minister of Industry and Trade of Russia Denis Manturov, Bocharov congratulated the factory workers on the landmark event.

In his turn, Kobylash said that the capabilities of the Tu-22MЗM considerably surpass all similar foreign rivals. “The plane has artificial intelligence and powerful combat potential. Its expanded capabilities will enable us to perform better the tasks. I want to thank a large team of workers, engineers, designers who put their hearts in this plane, breathed new life into it. We look forward to the moment when it will take its place in the long-range aviation combat system," Kobylash said.

Also, Minnikhanov was handed in the badge of honour of the Aviation Manufacturers Association and the model of the Tu-22M3M aircraft during the ceremony.

The Tu-22M3M is a modernized version of the Tu-22M3 long-range supersonic missile-carrying bomber with the variable-sweep wing. The bomber will have upgraded avionics, which will significantly expand its flight and combat capabilities. Ground tests of the plane and preparations for the first flight will start  in the near future.