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Russia’s state ship-building development programme might be cut by 40% – deputy minister

Russian Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Alexei Rakhmanov thinks, however, the state defence order till 2020 will be fulfilled in the full and in due time

© ITAR-TASS/Yelena Nagornykh

MOSCOW, April 03. /ITAR-TASS/. Financing of the state programme for the development of Russia’s ship-building sector in 2013-2020 might be cut by 40%, Russian Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Alexei Rakhmanov said on Thursday at a Russian State Duma [lower parliament house] session dedicated to prospects for the development of the ship-building sector.

According to official information about the programme posted on the website of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, budget spending on the development of civil marine facilities and the ship-building industry till the year of 2030 was fixed at about 338 billion roubles [$9.6 billion].

“We have a state programme on the development of the ship-building industry,” Rakhmanov said. “Regrettably, this programme is being rather seriously adjusted. We hope we will be able to find mutually acceptable solutions with our colleagues at the Finance Ministry, but, judging from the programme we submitted last year, the shrinkage is up to 40%.”

He noted that Russia’s ship-building sector has been underfinanced in the past 20 years. In his words, “feverish mobilization” of resources started each time when deadlines for the launching of civilian vessels or warships were postponed.

“But we always find a way to solve these problems,” he said. “So, I must say that with a great degree of certainty the state defence order till 2020 will be fulfilled in the full and in due time.”

Speaking about long-term planning, Rakhmanov noted that “efficient dialogue has so far been established only with the Navy.” “There were hearings on the defence ship-building programme till the year 2050, and approaches to long-term planning will make it possible to arrange the industrial, science-an-technology activities and organize design bureaus,” he added.

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