09.10.2009
Ukrainian president Viktor Yushchenko expects new sea-based and ground-based prestrategic missile systems being developed by Ukrainian experts to be commissioned in 2012.
"Project engineering part is being finished and as early as 2012 Ukraine will have most advanced missile system of that class. The capabilities planned for the system exceed foreign analogs on 20-25%", said Yushchenko visiting naval base in Crimea peninsula.
The president also said that he would insist on government's decision to make provisions in the budget 2010 for expenses of first stage construction of missile system.
If Ukrainian premier Yulia Timoshenko does not redress the situation in army financing next year, Yushchenko promises not to subscribe state budget.
According to him, less than 1% of Ukrainian gdp is currently expended on armed forces. Due to lack of funds, 88 aircrafts and helicopters "can not take off", 70 ships and auxiliary vessels can not accomplish combat missions, 40% of armor and artillery are combat-ineffective.
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