MOSCOW (AP) -- President Dmitry Medvedev has strongly criticized the quality of Russian-made planes, adding he has had firsthand experience of their problems.
Medvedev told Friday's meeting of the presidential Security Council that even brand-new Russian aircraft have been dogged by issues. Medvedev said his personal experience has proven that, but he didn't elaborate.
Russian news agencies have reported a presidential Tupolev Tu-214 had repeatedly suffered problems with its landing gear and was eventually found unfit for service and sent back to the manufacturer.
The Interfax news agency said that the Kremlin had recently acquired a French-made Falcon jet for short-range flights.
Medvedev sternly told aircraft makers to stop begging for government subsidies and work harder to improve the quality of their products.
