20 September 1999
Text: Energy Department, Russia Join on Shipboard Nuclear Security
(System designed to prevent theft of nuclear fuel material) (525) The Department of Energy announced in a September 16 press release that it had joined with the Russian Federation to install a security system designed to secure nuclear fuel on board a Russian navy ship. Russian Navy Ship P.M.-63, a submarine tender, is the first of three Russian Federation navy submarine service ships scheduled to receive material protection, control and accounting (MPC&A) MPC&A upgrades with technical assistance from the Energy Department. Installation of the system is part of a cooperative program with Russia to prevent the proliferation of materials that can be used in weapons of mass destruction. "Just ten years ago it would have been unthinkable to have the U. S. Department of Energy and the Russia Federation cooperating to safeguard nuclear materials on a Russian Navy ship," said Secretary of Energy Bill Richardson. "This historic milestone in the cooperation between our nations will help better safeguard nuclear materials and keep them from falling into the wrong hands." Following is the text of the press release: (begin text) FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 16, 1999 United States and the Russian Federation Secure Nuclear Materials on Russian Navy Ship Department of Energy Participates in Commissioning Ceremonies in Severodvinsk The United States Department of Energy (DOE) and the Russian Federation announced today that nuclear materials on a Russian navy submarine service ship, Russian Navy Ship P.M.-63, have been secured against insider and outsider theft. A security system has been installed to protect new (fresh) nuclear fuel destined for the refueling of nuclear powered submarines. This project is a part of the Department of Energy's nuclear material protection, control and accounting (MPC&A) cooperative program with Russia to prevent the proliferation of materials that can be used in weapons of mass destruction. This is the first of three Russian Federation navy submarine service ships scheduled to receive MPC&A upgrades with technical assistance from the Energy Department. Representatives of the two governments are holding Commissioning Ceremonies for the new security system today in Severodvinsk, Russia. "Just ten years ago it would have been unthinkable to have the U. S. Department of Energy and the Russia Federation cooperating to safeguard nuclear materials on a Russian Navy ship," said Secretary of Energy Bill Richardson. "This historic milestone in the cooperation between our nations will help better safeguard nuclear materials and keep them from falling into the wrong hands." Admiral Nikolai Nikitovich Yurasov, Russian Navy, Russian Federation Ministry of Defense, and Kenneth E. Baker, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Nonproliferation and National Security, U.S. Department of Energy are representing the Russian Federation and the United States at the commissioning ceremonies for the security system on board the ship. Russian Navy Ship P.M.-63 is located in the Northern Region of Russia and is based in Severodvinsk, Russia. In addition to ship-based systems, upgrades were installed at specific shore locations where the ship may be docked. Work began on Russian Navy Ship P.M.-63 in late 1997 and has been completed on schedule. (end text)
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list
