Airfoil Ships to Revive in Karelia

26.01.2012 It is planned to launch production of airfoil ships – fast-speed dynamic air cushion vessels – in Petrozavodsk (Karelia, Russia); the need for such ships was confirmed by Federal Security Service (FSB), writes Izvestiya on Jan 26 referring to a source in Russian Government.

Vice premier Dmitry Rogozin who is responsible for defense industry development in Russian government told reporters that Russia could resume production of airfoil vessels if defense ministry substantiated the need for such ships.

"FSB Border Guard Research Center has already confirmed the demand for airfoil vessels. Those ships are needed for patrolling of sea and river frontiers and detention of violators", writes Izvestiya.

The production would be opened in currently bankrupted Avangard shipyard in Petrozavodsk.

"Temperate continental climate in that region allows testing of airfoil ships all year round. Besides, the Lake Onega has access to southern and northern seas. Another fact in favor of Karelia is staff reserve of Petrozavodsk; there are crowds of unemployed shipbuilders and retired naval officers", Yury Varakosov, director of group company Ekranoplan told Izvestiya.

As for him, the airfoil shipbuilding center would employ over 5,000 workers.