Following Success of PAK FA, Russia To Develop New Strategic Bomber, PAK DA

Following the successful development and tests of the fifth-generation aircraft, Sukhoi’s PAK FA, Russia plans to start working on the Perspective Aviation Complex of Distant Aviation – PAK DA, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said at the meeting devoted to the development of the nation’s defense complex, Itar-Tass reports.

Photo: Following Success of PAK FA, Russia To Develop New Strategic Bomber, PAK DA

“We do not limit ourselves to the development of only one model. The fifth-generation fighter jet triggers the development of the perspective aviation complex of distant aviation – our new strategic bomber,” Putin said.

Putin said that the Russian defense complex had every opportunity to execute all the plans.

“The recent successful tests of the firth-generation fighter jet prove that. The new aircraft will be put into service during the next several years,” the prime minister said.

“PAK FA has already performed three flights. About 2,000 flights will be necessary to launch the serial production of the aircraft,” he added.

Speaking about the national missile defense system, Putin said that Russia would have to build a joint system which would unite both anti-aircraft and anti-missile defense.

“We have conducted profound changes in the industry for this purpose. Large holdings have been established – the United Aircraft-Building Corporation, Oboronprom Concern, Almaz-Antei and Tactical Missile Arms.”

“The industry received 93 billion rubles of support from the state during the crisis period,” Putin said.

Russia ’s state program in the defense industry stipulates the delivery of over 1,500 new aircraft and helicopters, as well as nearly 200 anti-aircraft complexes. The share of state-of-the-art hardware in the nation’s air force is to make up 80 percent (the share of anti-aircraft systems – 75 percent), which will considerably increase the defensive potential of the national armed forces.

In the meantime, Russia’s legendary aircraft maker, Sukhoi, plans to launch test flights of three more fifth-generation aircraft, the head of the design bureau Mikhail Pogosyan said Tuesday (March 2). The flights, the official said, would begin at the end of 2010 or in the beginning of 2011.

Mr. Pogosyan also said that Sukhoi was not going to present Russia’s new aircraft at the international air show in Farnborough in the summer of this year.

PAK FA’s basic test flights will begin in April of 2010. The tests will last for several years.