Russia To Take Over, Modernize Ukrainian Defense Enterprises In Crimea

A total of 13 Crimean-based Ukrainian defense enterprises manufacturing a variety of hardware including the Odessa Aviation Plant and a Joint Stock Company (JSC) Motor Sich will be taken over by Russia.

Following the merger of Crimea with Russia the latter plans to infuse capital and technology to modernize the plants, Russian and Ukrainian sources told Defenseworld.net at the DSA 2014 show in Malaysia.

Among the crown jewels in the Ukrainian manufacturing industry is the Sevastopol Shipyard, a branch of the Sevastopol Marine Plant. The shipyard is primarily concerned with the repair, modernization and re-equipment of Russian and Ukrainian Naval ships and submarines.

Other major defense manufacturing plants located in Crimea are the Sevastopol Aircraft Plant, the Antonov Design Bureau, the Konotop Aircraft Repair Plant 'Aviakon', the Chuguev Aircraft Repair Plant, the Lugansk Aircraft Repair Plant, the Zaporizhia State Aircraft Repair Plant, the Evpatoria Aircraft Repair Plant, the Mykolaiv Aircraft Repair Plant, the Lviv State Aircraft Repair Plant, and the Lutsk Repair Plant.

However, earlier last month, Ukroboronprom State Enterprise (SE) claimed on its website that it was “business as usual” following the Crimean merger with Russia.

"All [Ukroboronprom SE] enterprises located in Crimea are working in normal regime with the observance of all standard manufacturing processes," general director Sergiy Gromov said, adding that the unstable political situation in Ukraine will not affect the implementation of agreements with the country's foreign customers.

"I draw attention of our foreign colleagues that, in spite of the tension in the country, all signed contracts [Ukroboronprom SE] will fulfil in time and in a proper quality. Ukroboronprom has been, is, and will continue to be a reliable representative of Ukraine in the area of military and technical co-operation," he added.