Rustam Minnikhanov and Denis Manturov answered the questions from the press

Answering questions from representatives of mass media, Russian Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov, who was on a working visit to Kazan, has said the decision of the Russian President to return to production of TU-160 plane with new design is quite timely.

Earlier the same day (February 4), Manturov accompanied by Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov visited the Kazan Aircraft Plant where he got acquainted  with the implementation of a program of return to production of highly modernized TU-160M missile-carrying bombers, the KAPO – Composite, which produces aircraft parts from composite materials, and the Khimgrad technopolis.

Speaking to the press, Manurov said that the decision of Russian President Putin to resume the production of TU-160 was quite timely. “Due to this decision we could fulfil this task in the shortest time possible. According to the initial contract the plane was to be supplied in the end of 2023 and we are passing the aircraft to the Defense Ministry already by the end of the second quarter this year for further state testing and arming registration. I was inside the cockpit and saw a striking difference (with the previous version of the plane) as it has a complete digital control system and all conditions for work of the crew. Everything is compact, dynamic and well-though about”, he said.

As for the enterprise itself, there is enough money allocated from the budget into it to ensure the high quality of a modern plane, he added.

Answering questions from representatives of the mass media, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov has said “there are serious plans concerning the development of the KAPO – Composite enterprise”.

We have discussed many question, he said and added: “Our republic is one of large industrial centers and this year we have exceeded 4 trillion roubles of industrial production. It is a serious number including 50bn roubles from the federal budget, targeted investment federal programs and other forms of support. Much is being done in the country due to the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Government of the country to say nothing about the interest and support from the head of the country. All this means new volumes and new jobs”.

Rustan Minnikhanov concluded: “We have set forth new burning question to the Minister and he has heard us. We are talking about jobs and this is related to matters of qualification and wages. If the state orders will not take into consideration the wages fund, which is quite competitive today, it will be rather difficult”.

Speaking about promotion of the vehicles export, Minnikhanov thanked the Russian Minister and his team for the support. “Just look how the KAMAZ has changed and in two years it will be a completely new plant with new workshops as well as the helicopter plant. These are large enterprises and that is why the republic- having the full support- is aimed at work”.

Answering a question about development of composite polymer production in Russia, Denis Manturov said that this branch of industry is growing every year and during the last year “there was a demand both in the inside and outside markets. The total amount of polymer composite production made about 80bn roubles last year with the growth of 1% compared to 2020”.

“I can tell you that today there are promising projects under implementation in Tula region, Kazan and Ulyanovsk. And it is rewarding that these projects use mainly Russian raw stuff and materials,” Manturov said.