“We will not forget Belgorod ” he concluded.

According to Strana.ru with reference to a representative of the Sevmash plant, the lack of proper financing from the state budget in 2004 delays and makes expensive the construction of Oskar-II class nuclear submarine Belgorod . Russia allocated $1.7m for Belgorod this year, but $1.5m were then transferred for other projects. The submarine is 80% completed and requires $100m to finish the construction, the representative said to Strana.ru. However, the cost can rise 10% as the equipment gets older during construction time. So, Belgorod can be ready not later than 2006 if enough financing is provided, the Sevmash representative added.