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Where there is no law, but every man does what is right in his own eyes, there is the least of real liberty
Henry M. Robert

With Ukrainian Bombers Russia Is Confident In Its Air Force For Next 25 Years

16 November, 1999 - 00:00

On November 5 Tu-160 and Tu-95MC warplanes originally deployed in Ukraine landed at the Russia’s Engels AF base in Saratov oblast. The pleased Russian military staged a festive meeting. Major General PСtr Kazazaev, deputy long-range aviation commander, declared that Ukraine will shortly transfer another seven Tu-160 and Tu- 95MC strategic bombers, some 600 cruise missiles, and ground equipment in partial payment of its arrears on Russian natural gasС.

“We military in both countries have no problems between us whatsoever,” the General stressed. “We have practically settled all matters. To date we have received over 50% of military aircraft and about 90% cruise missiles from Ukraine that had been agreed upon. All this materiel is in an excellent condition.” Lieutenant General Mikhail Oparin, Commander of the 61st Long Range Air Army, also took the floor to assure those present that from now on Russia’s long-range aircraft “are the strongest; no other country has anything as good and is not likely to have for another 25-30 years, maybe longer.”

Ukraine is parting with its warplanes to repay some of its energy debts to Russia, and the Ukrainian Air Force Commander, General Viktor Strelnikov did not mention the total amount stipulated by this arrangement, saying only that the military of both countries would not be likely to reach an agreement on their own, for Russian and Ukrainian experts set different prices on the aircraft. “Good thing that the problem was finally solved by the prime ministers, the more so that our Armed Forces have no need for the Tu- 160 and Tu-95MC,” said General Strelnikov. Earlier it was announced that after handing over the aircraft Ukraine’s gas debt would be reduced by $290 million. In other words, each warplane was valued at $25 million.

Ukraine received 40 heavy strategic bombers after the USSR’s dissolution, and there are plans to re-equip two Tu-95s as reconnaissance planes as covered by the Open Skies agreement. Another two planes will become museum exhibits. The rest, pursuant to START-1, will be disposed of before the end of 2001, financed by the US as p a rt of the post-Soviet nuclear disarmament aid program, the general said.

The Tu-160 heavy bombers were built to deliver nuclear missiles to the United States. Until now Russia had only 6 such aircraft. Later, eight Tu-160s arrived from Ukraine. When asked whether the US expressed any concern about Ukraine transferring military aircraft to Russia instead of destroying them, Viktor Strelnikov replied, “Of course, they gave no sign. They are diplomats, aren’t they? But we are acting under accords currently in force, and they must understand that this is good for Ukraine’s economy.”

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