On February 26 Prime-Minister Ildar Khalikov, Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy Viktor Chirkov, representatives of the Russian Ministry of Defense, Tatarstan ministries and departments, administration of Zelenodolsk region and JSC “Holding Company “Ak Bars” took part in a solemn keel-laying ceremony of a leading patrol ship of project 22160 at OAO “Zelenodolsk plant named after A.M. Gorky”.

Designed by OAO “Severnoe design bureau”, the modern patrol ship is meant to guard territorial waters, patrol economic zone in open and closed seas, prevent from smuggling and pirate actions, perform rescue operations at sea, monitor environmental situation, defense vessels and ships, naval harbours and water areas with the purpose of alerting of hostile attacks in wartime.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ildar Khalikov thanked the staff for their work and leaders of the Russian Navy for their interest in the plant activity and its produce.

Ildar Khalikov also noted that due to state orders Zelenodolsk plant is a prospective enterprise. Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy Viktor Chirkov, in his turn, said that the patrol ship of project 22160 is one of the first ships to be built using new technologies. He also added that the main mission of the fleet is to ensure state security.

At the end of the ceremony honourable titles, letters of gratitude of Tatarstan Prime-Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy were presented to the distinguished employees.