The "Ak Bars" Shipbuilding Corporation intends to start serial production of the updated "Meteor-2020" high-speed passenger hydrofoil vessels by 2028. This was announced by the company's CEO, Renat Mistakhov.
According to him, the corporation is strategically focused on the development of civilian products, and the "Meteor-2020" project is considered one of the key areas. When transitioning to serial production, the company will be able to produce from six to eight such vessels annually. Mistakhov specified that the full-scale launch of the series is expected in the period of 2028–2029, when a stable economic model of the project will be formed.
Currently, "Ak Bars" is negotiating with the company "Fleet of the Republic of Tatarstan" on the supply of new vessels of this type. Previously, the Zelenodolsk Plant named after A. M. Gorky, which is part of the corporation, had already delivered four "Meteor-2020" to the customer.
The CEO noted that the new version of the vessel is designed to carry up to 160 passengers — 40 more than the previous modification, which accommodated 120 people. At the same time, the power plant and fuel efficiency remained unchanged, which should increase the profitability of operation for the carrier.