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Photo: Ukraina.
News about Russia allegedly withdrawn from negotiations on potential purchase of Ukrainian non-completed cruiser Ukraina are in contrary to fact, said Russian MP Mikhail Nenashev, the head of parliamentary subcommittee for military technical cooperation.
Combat Capability [42%],
Role and Missions,
Structure of the Navy,
in-service ships, surface ships, submarines, chronology.
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Russia did not abandon talks on cruiser Ukraina
03/29/2011 |
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"Of course, it's not true. Russia and Ukraine do continue talks on procurement of Project 1164 missile cruiser which stays in Nikolayev, at 61 Communards Shipyard. We, I mean Russia and Russian Navy really need this cruiser. As of today, we have few newly-build ships; only one 1st rank ship and two submarines will be commissioned this year", he said in the interview to Ukrainian Golos.Ua.
"Now the main subject of negotiations is the current state of the ship. Basically, this would influence on the price. Through over 20 years of construction, most equipment has become obsolete; some systems need replacement and modernization. We want to to be sure about volume of expenditures. Twenty years is not extreme age for the ship which was planned for a 50-year operation... However, your defense minister Mikhail Yezhel says the cruiser is 95% ready, but this is obviously an overstatement. I mean, this has to be agreed as well. Anyway, the issue will become more or less clear till early May", Nenashev said.
He also stated Russia was ready to employ Ukrainian shipyards to renew its Navy, although Moscow has a sort of anxiety.
"We are in great need of Ukrainian potentials; plans spread over decades ahead. But constructive fruitful cooperation is only possible if Ukrainian elite stops zigzagging, and political stance becomes predictable", explained the official.
"Russian investors place civil orders at Ukrainian shipyards as well. But the problem is that Ukrainian shipbuilders not always fulfill their commitments. Now we have 12 such "orphan" projects. At first Ukrainian yards named one price and deadlines, but virtually they are out of schedule while the price grows. Let's have it straight, investors feel stressful", added Nenashev.