MOSCOW, April 11 (AVN) - Russia will set up a medium and low-tonnage shipbuilding consortium by 2003 in order to develop and produce modern competitive medium and low-tonnage ships and develop dual-purpose technologies, a competent source in the Russian Shipbuilding Agency told the Military News Agency on Wednesday.
The consortium is likely to comprise the Almaz central naval design bureau, Middle Neva, Khabarovsk, Amur and Yantar shipyard, Vympel JS and Interregional Commercial Bank.
The new integrated structure will deal with design and construction of missile, artillery, patrol and guard motor boats, small anti-submarine ships, auxiliary ships and other vessels of the Navy. More than 13,000 people are expected to work at the new consortium. Its production volume will exceed RUR3bn (USD103.8m).