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Russia Air Force to get 600 planes, 1,000 helicopters by 2020

28 airfields were thoroughly overhauled in the past four years

KORENOVSK, Krasnodar territory, June 14 (Itar-Tass) —— Russia’s Air Force must be supplied with over 600 planes and 1,000 helicopters by 2020, Russian President Vladimir Putin told a conference on the preparation to mark the Air Force centenary.

“I have just met with officers of the unit where we are now and the officers asked me how matters stand with aviation. Well, the Air Force must receive 600 planes and 1,000 helicopters by 2020. Complexes with perfected combat characteristics are already being adopted for service,” Putin said.

The head of state said large air bases with the robust infrastructure are being established for the Air Force, the airfield network is modernized. As many as 28 airfields were thoroughly overhauled in the past four years.

“Production facilities of defense industry enterprises, of aircraft factories should be renewed and expanded accordingly and the training of pilots and maintenance stuff meeting modern requirements should be ensured,” the president added.

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