Mr Putin arrived at the MAKS-2005 VII International Aerospace Salon at Zhukovsky in the morning. Opening the event, the President noted the Russian aviation industry’s great potential and declared that its future lies in cooperation with foreign partners.
After watching demonstration flights, visiting the pavilions and viewing the latest developments in aviation technology and weapons systems, Mr Putin left the Gromov Flight Research Institute by helicopter for another Moscow airfield, Chkalovsky, where he took off on a Tu-160 strategic bomber for the area where the Air Force strategic aviation and the Northern Fleet are holding military exercises.
The bomber fired missiles during its flight over the country’s northern regions, refuelled in mid-air and flew at ultrasonic speed.
The bomber with the President on board landed in the evening at Olenegorsk Airfield in Murmansk Region.