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Russia's defense industry

Putin climbs into cockpit of Tu-160M bomber as he visits aircraft plant

The Russian president also was briefed about the plant's operations, production plans and hiring

KAZAN, February 21. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has climbed into the cockpit of a Tu-160M strategic bomber as he toured the Gorbunov Kazan Aviation Plant in Tatarstan.

It was one of the four such planes that he was shown during the tour. The bombers are capable of carrying nuclear weapons and are part of the Russian nuclear triad.

Putin spent 10 minutes in the cockpit, behind a control wheel. After learning that the bomber didn’t not have a name yet, the president suggested naming it after the first president of Tatarstan, Mintimer Shaimiyev.

"It’s a man who has done a lot for the whole country, for whole Russia," Putin said.

The president also was briefed about the plant's operations, production plans and hiring.

Putin was accompanied by Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu; Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, who is also the trade and industry minister; Rostec CEO Sergey Chemezov; United Aircraft Corporation CEO Yury Slyusar; and Tatarstan's head Rustam Minnikhanov.

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Vladimir Putin Russian defense industry Russia's domestic policy

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