Russian Defense Minister Army General Sergey Shoigu inspected the Novosibirsk-based Chkalov Aviation Plant (part of the United Aircraft Corporation) that manufactures, repairs and upgrades Su-34 fighter-bombers, the Defense Ministry reported on Friday. This reported by TASS.

"Russian Defense Minister Army General Sergey Shoigu inspected the fulfillment of the defense procurement plan at the Novosibirsk-based Aviation Plant. The defense minister inspected the test flight station and the final assembly workshop of the enterprise that makes part of the United Aircraft Corporation and mass produces, repairs and upgrades Su-34 fighter-bombers," the ministry said in a statement.

Aviation Plant Director Alexander Panasenko reported to the minister that "currently, the enterprise can both mass produce and carry out major repairs of aircraft that have used up their operational resource," the ministry said.

In compliance with the instructions issued by the defense minister earlier, the Novosibirsk Aviation Plant simultaneously carries out the repairs and upgrade of combat aircraft to cut costs and save funds, it said.

The defense minister set the task for the enterprise to ramp up the production and repairs of Su-34 fighter-bombers, proceeding from the need for these aircraft, the ministry reported.

Aviation Plant Director Panasenko reported to the defense minister that the enterprise had the potential to carry out repairs of any complexity, the ministry said.