Dmitry Rogozin / Photo from UNIAN
Russia could not complete the construction of a number of warships due to the fact that Ukraine did not deliver the required power units, Russian Deputy Prime Minister in charge of defense industry, Dmitry Rogozin, said in an interview with Russia-24 TV channel.
"The construction of several warships will not be completed this year due to the power units that are produced in Ukraine. We paid them, with some contracts estimated at $100 million intended for Zorya-Mashproekt state-owned enterprise (Mykolaiv)," Rogozin said.
According to him, Ukraine has not refunded the amount paid, nor has it delivered the power units.
Rogozin stated Russia is taking measures to set up as quick as possible own production of the needed equipment.
"It will take some time. 2017-2018 will be the years when we fully substitute the products that we used to freely import from Ukraine. Now we cannot do that, because 'the Nazis' came to power there," Rogozin said.
Read alsoDeputy chief of Ukraine’s Navy: terms of operation of all Ukrainian military vessels will have run out by 2018 As UNIAN reported earlier, on June 8, Russian United Shipbuilding Corporation announced it would take Kyiv to court to force the delivery of an unspecified number of prepaid engines required to complete several naval vessels.
"The Ukrainian political leadership unilaterally terminated any relationships in the field of military and technical cooperation, and stopped the deliveries of products to Russian companies. Due to such unscrupulous actions of the neighboring state, the United Shipbuilding Corporation is facing temporary difficulties related to equipping the frigates under construction (Projects 11356 and 22350) with gas turbine engines. The United Shipbuilding Corporation will seek to force the delivery by Ukraine of prepaid gas turbine engines through court," the Corporation said in its statement.
Read alsoAt long last, Ukraine puts formal end to military cooperation with Russia As reported earlier, the Ukrainian Cabinet of Ministers on May 20 terminated the agreement on military and technical cooperation with Russia of May 26, 1993, in response to Russian aggression.
On May 21, the Ukrainian parliament terminated the validity of five contracts signed by the governments of Ukraine and Russia in the field of military cooperation between the two states.
Zorya-Mashproekt state enterprise (Mykolaiv city) is one of the world leaders in gas turbine construction, which holds a monopoly position in the CIS markets in terms of development and manufacturing of gas turbines for naval vessels. The enterprise belongs to state concern Ukroboronprom.