MOSCOW. Jan 8 (Interfax-AVN) - Russia has postponed the disassembly and removal of the equipment of its radio-electronic center located in Cuba, Lieutenant General Viktor Denisov, commander of the Russian military transport aviation, said on Tuesday.
The disassembly and removal were to begin on January 15, Denisov told Interfax-Military News Agency. However the departure of AN-124 Condor heavy transports from Russia was called off because the New Year holidays had caused delays in payment for the flights, he said.
Denisov did not disclose the new departure date, saying only that the AN-124 crews were ready to accomplish the mission any time.
The Russian radio-electronic center is located in the town of Lurdes. President Vladimir Putin made a decision to disband it in autumn 2001.
Three AN-124 Condor planes of the Seshcha aviation garrison based in the western Russian Bryansk region are assigned the mission to relocate assets of the center from Havana to Russia. Denisov will supervise the operation.