Vladimir Putin visits airfield to watch fifth-generation jet flight

17 Jun, 2010 13:12 / Updated 15 years ago

Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has personally overseen the country's efforts to create one of the most advanced fighter jets in the world.

He stopped by the Zhukovsky Airfield outside Moscow to watch a test flight of the T-50.

The plane features an array of technical and design innovations.

Sukhoi, the company behind it, says it will be a few more years before the fifth-generation jet is ready for mass production.

After inspecting the plane and talking to the pilot, Vladimir Putin said the fighter would serve and protect the country for decades to come.