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Putin observes advanced air defense systems during visit in south Russia

The president viewed the advanced air defense systems together with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, Deputy PM Yuri Borisov, Trade Minister Denis Manturov and the defense industry representatives

Russia's President Vladimir Putin visiting Chkalov State Flight and Testing Center in Akhtubinsk Alexei Nikolsky/Russian Presidential Press and Information Office/TASS

Russia's President Vladimir Putin visiting Chkalov State Flight and Testing Center in Akhtubinsk

© Alexei Nikolsky/Russian Presidential Press and Information Office/TASS

AKHTUBINSK, May 14. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin viewed the most advanced and promising radar stations and surface-to-air missile systems during his visit to Akhtubinsk in south Russia on Tuesday.

The advanced military hardware was demonstrated to Russia’s supreme commander-in-chief at the 929th Chkalov State Flight and Testing Center.

The Russian president viewed the advanced air defense systems together with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov, Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov and representatives of the country’s defense industry. Therefore, Putin actually held a brief session out of a series of government meetings in May on defense issues.

Air Defense and Missile Defense Troops Commander, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Russia’s Aerospace Force Lieutenant-General Yuri Grekhov and Troops Air Defense Chief Lieutenant-General Alexei Leonov were providing explanations to the Russian president as he viewed the advanced military hardware.

Putin viewed the Podlyot and Kasta 2-2V radar systems, the Fundament-M automatic control system and the Valdai radar designated for detecting and fighting unmanned aerial vehicles.

Also, the Russian leader viewed S-350 Vityaz and S-300V4 anti-aircraft missile complexes, Pantsyr-S, Pantsyr-SM and Pantsyr-SA surface-to-air missile/gun systems, and also Tor-M2 and Buk-M3 air defense missile complexes. During the inspection, Defense Ministry officials acquainted the head of the Russian state with the operational characteristics of each system and about the pace of trials with regard to promising weapons or the experience of the use of the military hardware already delivered to the troops.

After viewing the advanced military hardware, Putin talked to the pilots who had flown Su-57 fighter jets to escort the presidential airliner upon its approach to Akhtubinsk.

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