'Extremely Important': Putin Calls Russian Aerospace Sector To Develop Rocket Engines

Last Updated:September 06, 2025, 15:58 IST

Putin stressed the need to modernise and expand production of engines for space launch vehicles

Russian President Vladimir Putin. (Reuters file photo)

Russian President Vladimir Putin has called on the country’s aerospace sector to step up efforts in developing rocket booster engines, describing the work as “extremely important" for Russia’s future in space and global markets.

On Friday, Putin visited the southern Russian city of Samara after recent trips to China and Vladivostok. While there, he toured the Kuznetsov design bureau – a major facility known for producing aircraft and rocket engines – and met with aerospace engineers and specialists.

Speaking to Russian media during the visit, Putin stressed the need to modernise and expand production of engines for space launch vehicles.

“We must not only meet our own present and future needs, but also actively compete on the global market," he said.

Putin noted that despite Western sanctions, especially those linked to the Ukraine conflict, Russia had managed to make significant progress in engine innovation, particularly in the energy sector.

“In conditions of restrictions from sanctions, we succeeded in a short period of time in developing a series of innovative engines for energy," he said, noting their use in Russia’s gas transport infrastructure.

He linked these developments to wider energy projects, including the proposed Power of Siberia 2 pipeline – a major initiative to export Russian gas to China. Discussions about the pipeline took place during his visit to China earlier in the week. Putin described the pipeline as mutually beneficial, especially as Russia seeks to shift its energy exports from Europe to Asia.

The president also spoke about the PD-26 aircraft engine project, which he said would play a crucial role in both defence and civil aviation. According to Putin, this engine will support the upgrade of military transport aircraft and pave the way for a new generation of wide-bodied passenger jets.

Putin concluded by urging engineers and manufacturers to maintain Russia’s strong legacy in aerospace, calling the development of rocket engines and aviation technologies a national priority.

“The development of this project will allow for the modernisation not only of military transport aircraft, but also opens up prospects for construction of a new generation of wide-bodied civil planes," the Russian President noted.

(With inputs from Reuters)

News Desk

The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d...Read More

The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d...

Read More

News world 'Extremely Important': Putin Calls Russian Aerospace Sector To Develop Rocket Engines

Read More