Lyubov Pronina/MOSCOW
The Russian defence ministry has asked the government for permission to allow the air force to undertake passenger and cargo operations in a desperate effort to earn vital cash for research and development. The measure was first suggested by deputy defence minister Anatoly Kvashnin in the Russian business newspaper Kommersant Daily.
The defence ministry has already worked out a draft proposal which would allow the formation of state-run aviation firms using aircraft from the emergency ministry and border guards, with the right to carry passengers and freight.
The draft document says: "To generate extra money for research and development and experimental aviation, the government of the Russian Federation rules that relevant organisations ... may carry out commercial flights in Russia and beyond, as well as work related to servicing air traffic, international air routes and local air routes."
Profits gained by the defence ministry will be transferred to the ministry's budget, for research and development projects and to effect ongoing military reforms, as well as resolving military "social issues" such as pay arrears, which remain a problem despite government promises to correct the situation.
The air force's considerable fleet of cargo and passenger aircraft has for some time been involved in commercial flights on an ad hoc basis, with some regiments already registered as regional cargo aviation companies. The latest proposal by the defence ministry would require a change of law to allow the new scheme to go ahead.
The move has run into criticism from opposition politicians, who claim it would further diminish the service's already sharply eroded fighting efficiency.
The project has met predictable opposition from civil aviation bodies and airlines. Neither the economy and justice ministries nor the Federal Aviation Authority has approved the scheme, and issues such as passenger safety are likely to be considerable barriers to its full implementation.
Source: Flight International