"Launching the Zaporizhia submarine into service in the Ukrainian Navy is presently on the agenda. This significant event should take place after running tests, which will soon begin and will continue until May 31, 2011," the press service quoted Defense Minister Mykhailo Yezhel as saying.
He expressed confidence that the crew of the Zaporizhia submarine is ready for patrol of the Black Sea, rescue operations, and the anti-terrorism operations in which Ukrainian divers will have to participate.
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As Ukrainian News earlier reported, the Defense Ministry previously planned to launch the Zaporizhia submarine into naval service in May.
The Cabinet of Ministers set up an inter-agency commission in 2003 to consider the appropriateness of repair, modernization, and launching of the Zaporizhia submarine into service in the Ukrainian Navy.
After this, the State Commission for reform and Development of the Armed Forces approved the Ukrainian Navy’s proposal to launch the Zaporizhia submarine into service.
The Defense Ministry has repeatedly postponed the date of completion of the repair of the Zaporizhia submarine because of lack of funds.
The Zaporizhia submarine is the only submarine that Ukraine inherited during the division of the former USSR’s navy. It was built in 1970.
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