By Irina Titova
Associated Press
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia — Russia launched construction of its first newly designed warship since the Soviet collapse a decade ago, saying modernization of the Navy was a top priority after years of neglect.
Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov attended a ceremony for the launch at the plant building the corvette Stereguschyii, which means On Guard.
"The modernization program of the Russian Navy is currently one of the most important tasks of the state," Kasyanov said.
Since the Soviet collapse, the Russian Navy has struggled to find funds to maintain its ships, and had to scale back plans to modernize the fleet.
An estimated 70 percent of the fleet needs overhauling, and the Navy cannot afford to send ships on long voyages.
Kasyanov, the head of Russia’s government, said Friday that the On Guard project "is a good sign of the activation of the Russian shipbuilding industry."
Alexander Ushakov, the plant’s production director, said the new ship is one of the most modern in the world.
The 330-foot corvette can displace 2,200 tons and uses stealth technology, making it difficult to track.
The Russian naval chief, Adm. Vladimir Kuroyedov, asked the plant workers to finish the ship’s construction by 2004, a year earlier than the planned time of launching.
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