NATO exiles itself and loses its chance with the “Ruslan” aircraft in the Czech Republic
The Russian company “Volga-Dnepr” confirmed that it will no longer cooperate with NATO (through its subsidiary Rusland-SALIS) in the transportation of military goods and will not participate in the tender for a new contract with the North Atlantic Alliance. Among other things, this is a service that for the past 10 years has been provided to the Czech Republic.
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| An-120-100 Ruslan aircraft |
The following is a comment by Mr. Alexandr Černý, Chairman of the Defense Committee of the Lower House of the Czech Parliament.
Has NATO created problems for itself, because of sanctions against Russia the Alliance has lost the opportunity to transport oversized military cargo using giant AN-124 "Ruslan" aircraft?
Mr. Alexandr Černý:It is obvious that such capabilities are lacking in NATO and Central Europe. If cooperation were to cease, it would be a real problem. It would not be easy to replace such aircraft, because there are very few of them in the Alliance. I repeat, of course, it would be a problem. And it is a pity, because in the past the Czech army has repeatedly used the AN-124, for example, to transport armored vehicles. The Volga-Dnepr company has transported over 4,200 tons of material for the Czech army over the past 60 years. In 2016, for example, the Russian company transported equipment for the Czech Air Mission from Gripeni to Iceland.
Sputnik: This situation is a result of Western sanctions, and it seems that NATO has shot itself in the foot, as they say in Russia. Do you see it that way?
UMBRELLAngAlexanderČernidea: Unfortunately, we have been witnessing similar misunderstandings for a long time, with my government sometimes taking steps that are not always beneficial to itself or the Czech people. Such an absurd situation has been evident for quite some time, and it does not only concern the military.
