By Natalia VIKULINA and Serhiy ZGURETS, The Day
The US estimates the scrapping of all 44 of Ukraine's Blackjacks and Bears,
as they code named the Tu-160 and Tu-95 heavy strategic bombers, will cost
eight million dollars. The first Tu-160 came under the cutting torch in
Pryluky this week, and the rest await the same fate by December 2001. A
contract has been signed for America's Raytheon to carry out the demolition
work in Ukraine. Under the Nunn-Lugar Program Washington has appropriated
$520 million to carry out disarmament provided for in the December 1994
Start One Treaty. Liquidating the Tu-160s and SS-24 ICBMs are the final
point of Ukraine's obligation under the agreement.
John Connell, director of the program to liquidate strategic weapons,
stated in Kyiv that the US would not object if Ukraine retained a few planes
as museum pieces. The Americans believe the planes cannot be adapted to
effective nonmilitary use. Russia has declined an offer to purchase the
bombers, and of 76 aircraft engines only three or four will be sold. Russian
generals are now exploring how such engines might be used in the agricultural
and fuel sectors.
Interestingly, Americans will not be allowed into the Tu-160 cockpits
until the secret equipment in them has been destroyed. This is according
to a Russo-Ukrainian agreement on protecting military secrets.






