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Russia's AF receives 12 newest fighter planes Su-35S

KOMSOMOLSK-ON-AMUR, February 12, 7:35 /ITAR-TASS/. The operational inventory of Russia's Air Force (AF) has been replenished on Wednesday with 12 newest multifunctional fighter planes Su-35S of the "4 plus-plus" generation. The aircraft were handed over at a ceremony to the 23rd fighter air regiment (Dzemgi airfield, Khabarovsk Territory) which is part of the Third AF and Air Defence Command of Russia. The handover ceremony took place here at the aircraft factory named after Yuri Gagarin. The factory manufactured these planes.

The ceremony was attended by RF Defence Minister, General of the Army Sergei Shoigu, who flew over here from Vladivostok for a working tour, and Mikhail Pogosyan, president of the OAO United Aircraftbuilding Corporation.

Shoigu siad that the newest multifunctional fighter plane Su-35S by its characteristics excels foreign analogues and serves as a platform for developing a fifth-generation aircraft system.

"This is a supermaneuverable aircraft which by its flying characteristics excels foreign aircraft of the similar class. It is capable of accomplishing a broad spectrum of operational missions and can be operated in most complex climatic conditions," Shoigu pointed out.

The Defence Minister thaned the designers, engineers, workers, test pilots, and all those who "have been busy rendering this sophisticated vehicle airborne". "I think you have splendidly coped with the responsible task," Shoigu said. He pointed out that the Defence Ministry highly appreciates the years-long cooperation with the Gagarin aicraft factory. The Minister expressed hope that this cooperation would continue to develop beneifcially, and wished the factory personnel health, wellbeing and new labour accomplishments for the good of the Motherland.

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