Ukraine had to spend $10 million to equip, transport and train crew members of two American Island-class patrol boats.
About this on the air of radio “Crimea. Realities,” said the First Deputy Commander of the Ukrainian Navy, Rear Admiral Andrei Tarasov, the PolitNavigator correspondent reports.
The officer had to share this information after a radio listener commented that the American boats did not go to Ukraine for free.
“Ukraine doesn’t get boats for free. Ukraine still has to pay $10 million for them. In addition, the American boats were written off and went to scrap metal, and they, it seems, were sold very profitably to Ukraine - for $ 5 million each. If we sold it for scrap, the Americans would earn much less,” said radio listener Vladimir.
“Firstly, the boats were given to us absolutely free of charge. Secondly, Ukraine does not have to, but has already paid about 10 million in advance. This is money that will be used to remove boats from long-term storage and restore their readiness, for example, checking engines and all systems, changing oil, and retrofitting equipment that is currently missing. We agreed with the American side on equipment. These are communications equipment, navigation and radar aids, household items necessary to accommodate the crew, and emergency equipment. That is, the list there is large and consists of several sheets.
In addition, it is still necessary to ensure that our crews stay there and receive their training on a US base, and this is a long process that will take several months. Also, training crews directly at sea, which means fuel costs and so on,” replied Rear Admiral Tarasov.
At the same time, the Navy castle noted that the same amount includes the cost of transporting boats to the territory of Ukraine, and also added that approximately the same amount is spent on state testing and training of the crew of Ukrainian armored boats.
Let us remind you that PolitNavigator previously reported that last Thursday at the Baltimore military base The United States solemnly handed over two decommissioned Island-class patrol boats to Ukrainewho will have to take over to protect the Ukrainian borders.