Samara champions advancement and change

In a significant visit, Russian President Vladimir Putin travelled to the United Engine Corporation (UEC) plant in Samara on a chilly evening, having arrived from Vladivostok at nine.

Upon arrival, Putin was greeted with a tour of the UEC plant's various products, including engines for military and civilian aviation, helicopter technology, energy, new types of aircraft, space engines, and ground gas turbine units. The President was particularly interested in the advanced engines, some of which have eluded successful copying by the Chinese, despite technology sharing on market terms.

During his tour, Putin emphasized the engine industry's key role in technological development and sovereignty. He highlighted the need to update production capacity for rocket engine components to meet current and future needs, and to actively enter and compete in world markets. The President expressed satisfaction with the development of Russia's engine industry and urged the prompt completion of the development and serial production of the turbojet engine PD-26.

Putin also asked for updates on the implementation of key programs for engine development and production, with both civilian and defense significance. He inquired about the potential use of the PD-8 engine on aircraft besides the Sukhoi Superjet. The President's tour was requested to be observed but not eavesdropped, due to concerns about potential state secrets.

The meeting ended late at night, and the President of Russia returned to Moscow two hours later, marking the end of his tour. This was the final stop of his tour of cities in China and Russia.

Interestingly, Putin's meeting on the development of the fuel and energy complex, held the day before in Vladivostok, included a surprising remark about developing energy within the country. The President pointed out the need to address issues requiring special attention and set specific "roadmaps" for implementation.

Russia remains among the top five countries in the world in terms of engine development level. Notably, the RD-180, a Russian engine, is still considered convincing compared to the American "Raptor-3" for "Starship".

In conclusion, Putin's visit to the UEC plant in Samara underscores the Russian government's focus on the PD-26 turbofan engine and the broader aviation industry, with an emphasis on technological development, competitive global presence, and domestic energy self-sufficiency.