YEKATERINBURG, December 29. /TASS/. Russia’s Kurganmashzavod, the country’s sole manufacturer of infantry fighting vehicles, is balancing on the brink of full stoppage over debts for natural gas consumption.

Kurganmashzavod, which is part of Tractor Plants Group, has been able to repay only about 20 million rubles ($280,000) out of a total debt of 55.5 million rubles ($780,000) to Gazprom mezhregiongaz Kurgan, a subsidiary of gas monopoly Gazprom.

"Considering the payment, which has been made, and also a guarantee letter provided to Gazprom mezhregiongaz Kurgan on further debt payment, no new restrictions on gas supplies to the enterprise in 2015 are planned," the gas supplier’s press office told TASS.

Kurganmashzavod produces seven modifications of infantry fighting vehicles purchased by three dozens of countries and standardized chassis for various armament systems.

Kurganmashzavod signed a long-term contract with Russia’s Defense Ministry in 2015 on the delivery of several hundred modernized IFVs to the Russian Army.