MOSCOW - Long-range planes will continue flights along the Russian borders and over the Arctic Ocean, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said.
“The combat training plans of long-range aviation envisage flights along the borders of the Russian Federation and over the Arctic Ocean,” Shoigu told the Defense Ministry military board on Nov. 12.
“In this situation, we have to maintain a military presence in the western part of the Atlantic and the eastern part of the Arctic Ocean, in the Caribbean and in the Gulf of Mexico,” Shoigu said.
He also said that long-range aviation units have significantly increased the duration of combat duty and missions during the year. He said the fulfillment of these tasks “requires a set standard of serviceability of strategic aviation aircraft.”
“I have approved a plan of measures to enhance the long-rang aviation fleet serviceability which provides for its repairs and maintenance services at industrial facilities,” the minister said.
The Air Force Commandeer-in-Chief is to report to the board on the state of strategic aircraft, existing problems and ways of resolving them, Shoigu added.
