Vladimir Putin arrives in Zhukovsky for MAKS-2003

Vladimir Putin has arrived in Zhukovsky, Moscow region, where the International Aerospace Show, MAKS-2003, opened Tuesday.

The president went to Zhukovsky by a helicopter.

At the helipad, the head of state was met by Russian Vice Premier Boris Alyoshin, Defence and Emergencies Ministers Sergei Ivanov and Sergei Shoigu, and Minister of Industry, Science and Technologies Ilya Klebanov.

Shortly upon his arrival, the president began inspecting the aviation equipment on display at the airfield.

In the first place, Mr Putin had a look at new promising models of Russian warplanes, such as Su-32 bomber- fighter, and Su-27M and MiG-29SMT fighters. The president was accompanied by Mikhail Pogosyan, director general of the Aviation Military-Industrial Complex (AVPK) Sukhoi, and Vladimir Mikhailov, commander in chief of the Russian Air Force.

The new developments of the AVPK Sukhoi, the Su-32 bomber fighter and the Su-27SM fighter will make it possible to raise combat efficiency of the Russian armed forces, Director General of the AVPK Sukhoi Mikhail Pogosyan told RIA Novosti.

The president also inspected new helicopter models - the Mi-28M warplane, the Ka-52 reconnaissance warplane, and the Ka-60 multi-role aircraft. The president was guided around by Director General of the Military plant Yuri Andrianov, Designer General of the same plant Alexei Samusenko, and Director General of the Kamov open-end joint-stock company Sergei Mikheyev.

Putin also inspected the Be-200ChS amphibian designed for extinguishing fire and solving the tasks of the Emergencies Ministry. Here the president was accompanied by Emergencies Minister Sergei Shoigu.