Refuellers remove camouflage

The Ministry of Defense will pass 45 grounds to five largest refuellers of the country for 2 years period. Civil TZK will not be able to repay required investment within this period but they count upon prolongation of cooperation with the Ministry of Defense.

The RF Ministry of Defense will grant access to military aerodromes to five largest refueling companies of Russia. Corresponding decree was signed on March 27 by Dmitry Medvedev, the Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation; it will enter into force in May this year. Pool of refuellers permitted to operating in military aerodromes includes Gazpromneft-Aero, Lukoil Avia, Aerofuels Group, as well as daughter companies of Rosneft - RN-Aero and TNK-Industries.

The Idea of transfer of aviation fuel supply functions uncharacteristic of the Ministry of Defense to unaffiliated companies was for the first time put into practice in 2011. Then servicing function for a number of military aerodromes was passed to Gazpromneft-Aero company. The first stage of pilot project conducted with Gazpromneft participation showed idea efficiency so this year 34 aerodromes will be passed to "civil" organizations for 2 years. Totally there are 245 military aerodromes in Russia according to open source information, but the quantity of actively operating ones varies from 70 to 130 based on different data. General volume of aviation fuel required for military needs is estimated as 140 mln. tons a year by market players.