The President became acquainted with the weaponry and air defence military equipment of the Russian Air Force, surveyed the S-300 and S-400 air defence missile systems, and looked at examples of aviation technology.
The long-range aviation aircraft included the IL-78M refueling tanker, and Tu-160 and Tu-95MS strategic missile carriers. The President surveyed the AN-124–100 Ruslan heavy military transport aircraft, the A-50U airborne early warning and control aircraft, and the Yak-130 and MiG-29UB trainer aircraft.
The head of state was given demonstrations of the following military aircraft: MiG-29SMT and Su-27SM fighters, a Su-25SM attack aircraft, a MiG-31BM modernised interceptor fighter, and a Su-24M tactical strike bomber, as well as transport and fighter helicopters.
After the visit, Dmitry Medvedev conducted a half-hour-long training flight on a Su-34 tactical strike bomber and met with the operating personnel of the air base.
The President emphasised that it is necessary to change the airplane fleet by acquiring the newest planes, and to invest money and intellectual resources into fifth-generation technology.
Kubinka (60 kilometers west of Moscow) houses the Aircraft Demonstration Centre named after Air Force Marshal Ivan Kozhedub. In 2008, the Centre celebrated its 70th anniversary. In the years of the Great Patriotic War, this was the base of the air regiments defending the capital. Today, Kubinka is known as the Moscow Region’s best aviation school and largest base of the Russian Air Force.