Vladimir Putin today vowed to create a son of Concordski – a jinxed Soviet airliner now in the scrapyard – to fly VIPs around the world.
He is basing his ambitious vision of new luxury passenger high speed jet on the fearsome Tu-160 nuclear bomber which sends shivers throughout the West.
The Kremlin leader wants a civilian version of the long range strategic bomber to earn roubles to support the low-flying Russian economy.
Russian President Vladimir Putin (right), Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu (second left) and Russian Deputy Prime Minsiter Dmitry Rogozin (back) visit the Gorbunov Kazan Aviation Plant in Kazan
Russian President Vladimir Putin signs his autograph on the photo of a new supersonic strategic bomber Tu-160
A Russian TU-160 strategic bomber releasing a missile against Islamic State targets in Syria
The Tu-144, nicknamed Concordski and made by Tupolev, became a laughing stock in the Soviet era, and never rivalled the Anglo-French Concorde
The Tu-144, nicknamed Concordski and made by Tupolev, became a laughing stock in the Soviet era, and never rivalled the Anglo-French Concorde which had a successful lifespan of almost a quart of a century.
‘The Tu-144 was out of production because a ticket cost an average salary in the country,’ said Putin referring to the problems of making the plane a viable option in the communist era.
He neglected to mention the technical problems on designs stolen by KGB spies from the West.
‘There is a different situation now,’ he explained. Large companies have emerged that could use the jet.’
He suggested it would be quicker to fly on his planned son-of-Concordski from Russia to the US than to cross his vast country.
The Kremlin leader wants a civilian version of the long range strategic bomber to earn roubles to support the low-flying Russian economy
Putin (left) with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu (second left), Head of Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation Yury Slyusar (second right) and Russian Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov (right)
Putin set out his plan during a visit to Kazan where he saw a seven-minute demonstration flight by the newest version of the Russian strategic bomber Tu-160, called the Pyotr Deynekin.
Chief of the United Aircraft Corporation Yuri Slyusar told Putin his designers already had a project of a supersonic civilian liner.
The Kremlin chief is standing for re-election next year aiming to become the longest servicing Kremlin leader since Stalin.
Once certified the nuclear-capable military aircraft will join a fleet of 11 regular Tu-160s and five upgraded Tu-160s, a key part of the Russian arsenal.
Putin was accompanied by close ally Sergei Shoigu, the hawkish Russian defence minister.
The upgraded bomber is a ‘serious step in the development of high-tech industries and strengthening the nation’s defence capabilities,’ said the Russian strongman.
The four-engine supersonic bomber developed in the 1980s is the largest combat plane in the world.
During Russia’s campaign in Syria, the military used the Tu-160s to launch log-range cruise missiles at militant targets.
Russia’s Deputy Defence Minister Yuri Borisov speaks ahead of the demonstration flight
The signing of a state contract between the Russian Defence Ministry and PAO Tupolev on the supply of Tu-160 modernized strategic missile carrying aircraft