The governor of Arkhangelsk County, Anatoly Efremov, has filed a request to the Russian Government to consider delivery of nuclear-powered submarines for export. Onboard nuclear weapons are to be dismantled prior to export. The idea has risen from the desperat economical situation of the Arkhangelsk millitary shipyards.
The suggestion to deliver two submarines for export was announced at a press conference held by the Arkhangelsk County Governor on March 11 this year. At the outset considered to be ironical, the proposal has materialised as an official request to Moscow. --Although international legislation stands against export of vessels powered with nuclear reactors, there are ways around that, comments Russian national newspaper Komsomolskaya Pravda.
The request was prompted by the deep economical crisis developed at Severodvinsk nuclear shipbuilding yards during the last three years. By the nation wide strike organised by the Russian labour unions on March 27 this year, the state owed Severodvinsk yards approx. 18 million US dollars. Some 10 % of the money was delivered to Severodvinsk just before the strike, providing for only half-hearted Severodvinsk support to the protests.
The Russian government has not yet replied to the request. Neither a positive answer, nor a balancing of the state debts to the city, is likely to come in the foreseeable future.
Alexey Klimov, Severodvinsk, 1997-04-02
"Komsomolskaya Pravda", 1997-03-13
"Severny Rabochy", 1997-03-12