MOSCOW. Sept 27 (Interfax-AVN) - The 2005 draft budget plans to earmark 900 million Russian rubles ($30.8 million) for realizing the federal program on establishing a network of Black Sea Fleet bases in Russia until 2020, Mikhail Musatov, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Defense Committee, told Interfax-Military News Agency on Monday.
"Construction of the main base of the Black Sea Fleet in Novorossiysk is slated to be started in 2005 and to be completed in 2007," Musatov said.
The program is aimed at establishing a coastal infrastructure of the Black Sea Fleet in the Krasnodar Territory, enabling it to be deployed in the interests of Russia's national security.
According to Musatov, the program will result in establishing a network of Black Sea Fleet bases in the Krasnodar territory, which will guarantee Russia's national security. In addition to that a possible economic damage to Russia is planned to be prevented by extending the service life of arms and materiel in service with the Black Sea Fleet. The program will also result in establishing additional jobs in the Krasnodar territory.