Sukhoi to invest 15 bln rubles in Komsomolsk-on-Amur plant upgrades to 2020
KHABAROVSK. July 19 (Interfax) - The president of OJSC United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), Mikhail Pogosian, said during a working visit to Komsomolsk-on-Amur that OJSC Sukhoi would over the coming five to six years be investing some fifteen billion rubles in the modernization of the aircraft plant there, KnAAZ, the regional administration's press service said.
"The aircraft plant is the corporation's biggest. We connect increasing production volume with the realization of high-tech programs associated with the production of the [multi-role fighter] Su-35, the Sukhoi SuperJet-100, a fifth-generation fighter, [and] the development of galvanic production and machining," Pogosian is quoted as saying.
The plant continues to build a shop for galvanized coatings that should be in operation in 2017. The installation of structural steel for the shop is being wrapped up and preparations for installing equipment will be beginning, the press release says.
The facility will have automated, computer-controlled lines, which will make it possible to increase product quality, significantly cut power and water usage, and get people out of dangerous technological operations, the release says.
During a meeting with temporary acting territorial Governor Vyacheslav Shport, Pogosian said he was pleased with the assistance provided by the regional authorities.
"A key factor for retaining specialists is the social sphere. In Komsomolsk-on-Amur much is being done in this area. Together with the territorial government a corporate mortgage program for staff is being realized. Today we feel the support of the regional authorities in our undertakings," Pogosian said.
Sukoi will be investing around three billion rubles in the modernization of KnAAZ this year. The project, running to 2020, has an estimated price tag of over seventeen billion rubles. Sukhoi will be allocated under the federal target program Development of the Defense Industry Complex of the Russian Federation.
In December, the company's chief Alexander Pekarsh said that "in the next few years the machine tool fleet will be completely updated - 580 units of aged equipment have been decommissioned and are being made more efficient with the substitution of 69 modern manufacturing complexes with program management."
KnAAZ named after Gagarin is a branch of OJSC Sukhoi Company that produces the Su-27, Su-30 and Su-33 fighter jets of various modifications, is participating in a program to create the Advanced Front-Line Aviation Complex (PAK FA), and is also taking part in the Sukhoi SuperJet-100 program.