Russian Defence Minister General of the Army Sergei Shoigu holds thematic teleconference with the leadership of the Russian Armed Forces
05.03.2024
Today, Russian Defence Minister General of the Army Sergei Shoigu held a thematic teleconference with the leadership of the Russian Armed Forces at the National Centre for State Defence Control.
In the beginning of the teleconference, Sergei Shoigu said that against the background of NATO's military potential building up close to Russia's borders and the Alliance's enlargement to include Finland and, in the longer term, Sweden, we have taken steps to strengthen force groupings in the north-western and western strategic directions.
For that purpose two strategic territorial formations of the Armed Forces - the Moscow and Leningrad military districts - have been established.
'The Presidential Decree dated 26 February 2024 established the military-administrative division of Russia. The military districts are assigned their respective territories. These include new regions of the country,' the Russian Defence Minister said.
The measures taken will make it possible to significantly improve the effectiveness of the command and control.
'We will continue to improve the composition and structure of the Armed Forces to meet emerging threats to the Russian Federation's military security,' the head of the Russian military department said.
Sergei Shoigu recalled that last month the comprehensive restoration of the historic building of the Moscow Military District Headquarters, which covers an area of nearly 16,000 sq. m., was completed. м. The builders have installed modern communications and engineering networks. The façade and historic interiors have been fully preserved.
'Moscow Sergei Sobyanin for his assistance to the Armed Forces, including in solving the tasks of the special military operation', the Russian Defence Minister said.
Advanced secure communications and visualisation equipment are installed in the District's control rooms.
* * *
Then the Russian Defence Minister shortly briefed the participants of the meeting on the situation in the special military operation zone.
According to the information given by the Russian Defence Minister, following the Ukrainian fighters fleeing the defence centre of Avdeyevka, the Russian Group of Forces prevented the enemy from gaining a foothold on the Petrovskoye-Lastochkino-Severnoye line and continued to push the enemy to the west.
'Our military personnel demonstrate courage, bravery, and heroism in performing their duties,' Sergei Shoigu said.
* * *
When discussing the agenda of the teleconference, the Russian Defence Minister was briefed on development of the IL-212 military transport aircraft with the PD-8 engine. They will replace the ageing fleet of An-26 and An-72.
The new transport aircraft will have increased payload capacity and range. It will also be easier to refuel and maintain.
In addition, it will be able to use unpaved and unequipped runways, as well as operate in the Arctic latitudes.
The United Aircraft Corporation has already started work on the development of the aircraft technical design.
The prototype is expected to be manufactured by the end of 2026.
Then, the Russian Defence Minister suggested to discuss how the United Engine Corporation fulfils its mission of supplying and repairing engines for tactical, long-range, and army aviation.
As Sergei Shoigu pointed out, according to last year's results, the Corporation fully complied with the tasks of the state defence order and secured the pre-delivery of some products according to the plans for 2024.
Design services improve the technical and resource characteristics of the engines by using only domestic materials.
Extensive testing of hybrid propulsion systems is underway, which will reduce harmful emissions and significantly improve the fuel efficiency and operational safety of aircraft.
'I would like to point out that the achieved capacities of the Corporation's enterprises ensure the required level of airworthiness of the Russian Aerospace Forces grouping involved in the special military operation,' the Russian Defence Minister said.
* * *
Among other things, issues of maintaining the An-124 Ruslan heavy military transport aircraft fleet overhaul of D-18T engines, which are installed on aircraft of this class.
This task on behalf of the Ministry of Defence is carried out by UZGA, which successfully implements import substitution measures for Ukrainian engine components.
To date, 49 engines have been repaired and put into service. Repair and modernisation will extend the service life of An-124 aircraft from 20 to 45 years.
Serial production of the Russian D-18T engines is currently being planned and is scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2027. This will increase the volume of air traffic in the interests of the Russian Armed Forces.
* * *
At the end of the conference call, Sergei Shoigu congratulated women on the upcoming International Women's Day.
'Our meeting is taking place on the eve of the wonderful holiday of 8 March, a holiday dedicated to the beautiful half of humanity.
There is no profession where women have not demonstrated their talents, skills, and ambitions. The Armed Forces are no exception to this.
Today, there are more than 37,500 women serving in the Armed Forces. About 270,000 women work in various civilian positions in military organisations and units.
On behalf of the leadership of the Ministry of Defence and on my own behalf, I would like to thank all of our wonderful women, our sisters-in-arms, for their conscientious service to the good of our Motherland. My best wishes for your well-being, reliable support and family wealth,' said the Russian Defence Minister.
Department for Media Affairs and Information
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