Ukraine is to step up its dialogue with the United States on a program for the disposal of solid rocket fuel from RS 22 intercontinental ballistic missiles (SS 24 missiles according to NATO classification) at the Pavlohrad Chemical Plant in Dnipropetrovsk region.
Representatives of the Ukrainian and American defense agencies are
planning to discuss in fall the prospects for the United States’ return
into the program, as well as possible raising of the program’s
financing by the U.S., a high-ranking military official told
Interfax-Ukraine on Friday.
Earlier this year, the U.S. Congress was studying the possibility of
providing around $10 million for the program in 2009. The financial aid
would be spent on the storage of over 160 assembled SS 24 engines at
Pavlohrad plant, the source said.
“Despite this being only a [small] share in the overall amount of
spending on these goals, nevertheless, it grows annually. The United
States allocated $800,000 in 2006, $3.5 million in 2008, and this year,
it will be around $10 million,” the official said.
Meanwhile, the launch of industrial reprocessing of solid rocket
fuel from RS-22 ballistic missiles at the Pavlohrad Chemical Plant
previously scheduled for 2008 were postponed for mid-2009 due to a lack
of funds, plant Director General Leonid Shyman told Interfax-Ukraine.
According to Shyman, the general readiness of the program is 67%, while some of the objects are 99% ready.
“If the funding is provided on time and in full, we will be able to start the program in July to September next year,” he said.
The director general said that the state budget stipulates the
allocation of UAH 12.6 million from the general fund and UAH 184.5 from
the stabilization fund, which is half the sum stipulated by the state
program.
The solid fuel of RS-22 missiles is being disposed of as part of
Ukraine’s commitments in the reduction and liquidation of strategic
armaments and related state programs. The disposal of 5,000 tonnes of
RS-22 solid fuel is planned before 2011.
