Cuba–Russia cooperation and agreements

sepheronx wrote:Tis a shame.  Since US is so keen on screwing Russia, Russia should at least open up the base, at a specific lease price, and money can go to Cuba, which they need.

Hopefully Putin is just trolling.  But if not, then I wonder what he is planning?  Because reason why his allies are disappearing is because lack of Russian engagement and involvement in their economies.

Well if we want to know anything about modern espionage or modern intelligence gathering than we can just look at the NSA. The NSA has broken-free from the shackles of traditional forms of espionage and intelligence gathering, they now have a large network of private companies spying for them, the overwhelming majority of them have nothing to do with defense or national security nor were they originally created to be fronts for U.S. intelligence agencies.

So with that being said it would be quite easy to disguise a large electronic intelligence gathering base and make it look like a large oil refinery, and it would be even easier to disguise S-400's/S-500's, and make them look like oil trucks with cylindrical oil container truck payloads.

To fight asymmetrically it's time to swap the look of that:




For this:

magnumcromagnon wrote:

TR1 wrote:Cuba has a crap economy. No need to waste money on them like we did back in Soviet Times, when it was a multi billion dollar black hole.

What a chauvinistic/jingoistic viewpoint, it's like your totally oblivious to the fact that Cuba's economic woes is directly related to the U.S. embargo against their economy, is should also be noted that well-over 90%of the counties in the U.N. generally assembly oppose the U.S. embargo on Cuba (only the U.S. and Israel opposed doing business with Cuba, and originally Israel supported the end of the embargo until they had their arms twisted). Taking that in to consideration means that the overwhelming majority of the world's countries/govt's/people support and see value in doing business with Cuba...more value than you care to admit.

Sure sure, please tell me of Cuba's vast potential to make Russia money back. It WAS a black hole in the Cold War. No way around it.

Sugar cane does not get one far.

I hope not a cent is invested into Cuba that could go into Russia.

Werewolf wrote:

TR1 wrote:Cuba has a crap economy. No need to waste money on them like we did back in Soviet Times, when it was a multi billion dollar black hole.

And whos fault is that? Surely not cubas fault, it has not put sanctions on its one head.

They got billions from the USSR for decades. They managed to do even less with it then our Communist dinasaurs.

GarryB wrote:
Would be ideally positioned if the US decides to launch its ICBMs over the south pole at Russian targets.

Would require the US spend rather a lot of money on its southern border, which in the past has been rather neglected.

I am sorry, is this serious? Launching @ Russia via South Pole?

LOL! You guys crack me up.

I will repeat. US won't give a shit because S-500 serves zero military purpose for Russia in Cuba. It can't intercept crap because the US won't be launching anything from nearby, nor will it be launching anything that passes over Cuba anyways.

GarryB wrote:

Russia is rather better off dealing with countries like Cuba etc than backstabbers like the US and UK... and their blind followers like the NATO countries.

Never thought you wanted Russia to be the drab, broke state it was in the Cold War again Garry.

TR1,

you are delusional if you think Russia will have business as usual with the US/uk after this Ukraine crap....that train has well and truly left the station.

So what is the alternative... continue to be the Dog at the table... begging for any scraps the west decides to drop on the floor for you?

Any economic ties between Russia and the west will continue to be used by the western politicians to control Russia. the obvious solution is to look everywhere for countries to cooperate with and do business with.

Dropping ties with allies because they are poor... WAKE UP TR-1... with Eastern Europe now in the wests camp the only allies Russia has left are the poor... It doesn't mean Russia should ignore them.

Russia should not turn its back on any country... except the US... if it turns its back on the US it will likely find a knife in its back or worse.

I am sorry, is this serious? Launching @ Russia via South Pole?

Wouldn't be the first Soviet/Russian idea the US has copied.

Russian upper house ratifies space deal with Cuba

Cuba Ready to Arrange Training Bases for Russia Ahead of 2016 Olympics

During the Russian Sports Minister's meeting with the Cuban Ambassador to Russia on Monday, Cuba had expressed willingness to provide training bases for Russian athletes for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

MOSCOW, November 25 (Sputnik) — Cuba expressed readiness to provide training bases for Russian athletes, preparing for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Russian Ministry of Sports said in a statement published on its website Tuesday.

"Emilio Ratmir Lozada Garcia [Cuban ambassador to Russia] has informed the [Russian Sports] minister about Cuba's readiness to arrange training bases for Russian athletes to prepare for the Games of the XXXI Olympiad, Rio de Janeiro 2016," the statement said.

Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko held a meeting with the Cuban Ambassador to Russia Emilio Ratmir Lozada on Monday. They discussed further cooperation in sports and also negotiated boxing, volleyball and basketball competitions between Russian and Cuban sportsmen.

On October 2, 2009, Rio de Janeiro was elected as the host city of the 2016 Summer Olympics. The Rio Olympic Games will include 28 sports on its program and will be held on August 5 – 21.

Ilyushin Finance and Co. to deliver Il-96-300 aircraft to Cubana de Aviacion
Russian Aviaton » Friday December 26, 2014 18:28 MSK

In the network of a meeting of the Russian-Cuban Intergovernmental Commission on trade, economic, scientific and technical cooperation held on December 18th - 19th in Havana, Russian lessor Ilyushin Finance & Co. (IFC) and Aviaimport S.A. (Cuba) signed a preliminary agreement for delivery of Il-96-300 passenger aircraft, IFC’s press-service reports.

«Under this agreement the aircraft will be delivered to Cuba in the second quarter of 2015. Today Cuba operates 4 Il-96-300 aircraft, 4 Tu-204s and 5 An-158s, delivered by IFC,» said in the statement.

It is expected that Cubana de Aviacion will take delivery of the sixth An-158 regional aircraft in February 2015. In this regard besides the agreement for delivery of Il-96-300 jet, IFC Technik and Aviaimport S.A. signed contract for assuring continued airworthiness of An-158 airliners, the press-service added.

Of course, perhaps it has nothing to do with oil at all, and Putin was just in a rare good mood that day.

Of course it must be all about the oil because Putin Hates Cuba and has had economic sanctions imposed on Cuba for the last 50 years.

Ooops... hang on... is someone being silly and confusing Putin with the US?

The deal has nothing to do with moods, it is juvenile and quite frankly rude to suggest Putin would do such a thing because of a mood.

The simple facts are that Cuba was in no position to pay back the original amount and insisting on payment would be stupid and pointless.

the new deal means cooperation and future potential for both parties to make some money and benefit from the situation.

Russian defence minister hails ‘constructive’ development of Cuba ties in military sphere

"Our relations in the military sphere are developing constructively," the Russian defence minister said

HAVANA, February 14. /TASS/. The Russian-Cuban relations in the military and military-technical sphere are developing in a constructive way, Russian Defence Minister Sergey Shoigu said during the meeting with Cuba’s President Raul Castro on Saturday.

"Our relations in the military sphere are developing constructively," the Russian defence minister said, adding: "We are interested in expanding cooperation in the naval sphere."

Shoigu thanked the Cuban side for a reception of Russia’s Navy vessels during the call at the port of Havana.

He also invited Cuba’s military delegations to participate in this year’s tank biathlon international competitions, international war games, the 4th international security conference and the international scientific and technical forum Army 2015.

Raul Castrol said Cuba’s military delegations would take part in these events.

Shoigu said the approaches of Russia and Cuba on global and regional security issues "fully coincide." "Our countries are bound by common interest in forming a just and polycentric world order based on equality, adherence to international law and respect for it with the central role of the United Nations," he said.

The minister said his visit to Cuba comes as the countries see a robust development of bilateral ties. "Your country is our long-time friend and a symbol of love of freedom and independence in Latin America," he said.

"Cuba, which has survived in the conditions of a blockade for over half a century, continues firmly and consistently following the track of defending its national sovereignty and implementing its development model," Shoigu said.

Shoigu also said that today the good and time-tested relations between Russia and Cuba are revitalizing. The visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to Havana in July 2014 gave an impetus to strengthening bilateral ties, he said.

"Our priority it to implement the agreements reached during the highest level meetings," he said.

The long traditions of friendship between the people of Russia and Cuba are a "firm basis for expanding bilateral cooperation and coordinating efforts on the international arena," he said.

Shoigu concludes his trip to South America, during which he also visited Venezuela and Nicaragua.

Russia, Cuba Prepare Large-Scale Joint Projects in Energy, Civil Aviation



Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov said that Russia and Cuba will prepare large-scale projects in the energy, transportation and civil infrastructure sectors, as well as in the areas of biotechnology, pharmaceutics, healthcare and civil aviation.

HAVANA (Sputnik) — Russia and Cuba are preparing large-scale joint projects in energy and civil aviation sectors, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday after meeting with Cuba's President of the State Council Raul Castro and his counterpart Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla.

"In line with instructions given by the heads of our states, our government agencies will most certainly prepare rather large, serious, and promising projects in the energy, transportation and civil infrastructure sectors, as well as in the areas of biotechnology, pharmaceutics, healthcare and civil aviation," Lavrov said.

The Russian foreign minister is on a one-day visit to Cuba as part of his current Latin American tour, which also includes Nicaragua, Columbia and Guatemala.

The hub would be built on the grounds of a former military base, and help boost other infrastructure projects in the region, the director of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Latin American department, Alexander Schetinin, said earlier in March.

Russia and Cuba are also considering the launch of a "very serious" program to modernize Cuba's power plants, according to the Russian official.

The two countries have a long history of friendly relations and cooperation, dating back to Soviet times.

Read more: http://sputniknews.com/politics/20150324/1019956535.html#ixzz3VLIkKwC4

Eximbank of Russia financed the delivery of Il-96 aircraft to Cuba
Russian Aviaton » Thursday April 16, 2015 19:29 MSK

Subsidiary of EXIAR (Export Insurance Agency of Russia) – Eximbank of Russia (part of Vnesheconombank) granted a four-year credit to Ilyushin Finance & Co. The credit amount is $7,5 million, Kommersant-Voronezh reports.

In fact it is a working capital credit used to finance the debt receivable in the network of a commercial credit taken in the network of an export contract. The bank’s press-service said that IFC would use these funds to lease Il-96-300 aircraft to Aviaimport S.A. (Cuba). Earlier Eximbank of Russia financed other contracts between IFC and Aviaimport S.A. for delivery of Il-96 aircraft: in 2005-2007 three jets of the type were delivered to Cuba.
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Together with the transaction security for delivery of three Tu-204 jets the credit amount was $31,8 million.

Russia, Cuba agree on new aircraft deliveries — deputy PM


Russia ready to hold talks on placing GLONASS signal calibration stations in Cuba

Russia to carry on with modern weapons supplies to Cuba — Defense Minister Shoigu

MOSCOW, April 24. /TASS/. Russia treats Cuba as a reliable friend and is ready to actively develop with the Caribbean island cooperation both in military and military-technical spheres, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Shoigu said on Friday.

"We intend to continue cooperation in supplying the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces with modern weapons and military hardware," Shoigu said at a meeting in Moscow with Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Cuba Ricardo Cabrisas.

According to the Russian defense minister, the Russian-Cuban cooperation received an additional boost following Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Havana last year.

"All decisions made during the visit are subject to attentive control and implementation in our country," Shoigu said.

"Our cooperation in the military sector is actively developing and my February meetings in Havana proved our common drive toward the expansion of our partnership relations in the military and military-technical spheres," the Russian minister said.

Shoigu also thanked Cabrisas for warm receptions provided by Cuba to Russian warship each time they call on the Havana port.

"We also enjoy rich experience of Cuban personnel training in our [Russian] various education establishments," Shoigu said. "We hope to carry on with this tradition and expand our cooperation in personnel training."

Cabrisas said Shoigu’s visit to Havana this February "helped to strengthen cooperation" between Cuba and Russia.

Cuba has ordered two Mi-17 helicopters

Was about time

Russia intends to restore Cuban spy base – MP

Russia to deliver one more Il-96-300 passenger aircraft to Cuba
Russian Aviaton » Friday May 29, 2015 00:05 MSK

Delivery of another Il-96-300 airliner to Cuba is scheduled for May 2015. Moreover, the parties are negotiating promotion of Russian helicopters at the Cuban market, said in the documents prepared for the meeting between Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and President of Cuba Raul Castro, RIA Novosti reports. Cuba is one of the largest importers of Russian-produced civil aircraft.

“In 2005-2014 Ilyushin Finance & Co (IFC) leasing company delivered three Il-96-300 jets, four Tu-204 airliners (including two Tu-204SE cargo aircraft) and five An-158 jets to Cuba. One more aircraft should be delivered to Cuba in May,” said in the documents. IFC explained that this refers to Il-96-300 aircraft. The abovementioned aircraft are operated by Cubana de Aviacion (Cuba’s national carrier).

Another An-158 was delivered to Cubana de Aviacion
Russian Aviaton » Thursday July 30, 2015 15:31 MSK

On June 6th 2015 another An-158 short-haul aircraft was delivered to Cubana de Aviacion (Cuba). This is the sixth jet of the type delivered to the customer by Ilyushin Finance & Co. (IFC) leasing company, the lessor’s press-service reports.

«Deliveries of the aircraft to Cuba were started in 2013 under a purchase agreement between IFC and South American Aircraft Leasing (SAAL, Panama), which finances leasing of the aircraft for the Cuban carrier. Delivery of the sixth An-158 jet finalized implementation of the contract by IFC, the company explained.

Besides An-158 jets, since 2005 IFC has already delivered 8 Russian-produced aircraft to Cuba, including 4 Tu-204 medium-haul aircraft (passenger and cargo versions) and 4 Il-96-300 long-haul airliners. Thus the total number of aircraft delivered to Cuba by IFC is 14 ones. All the jets were delivered under the governmental program for financial support (guarantees) of export of hi-tech industrial products.These guarantees are provided by the government to banks, which grant credits to buyers of Russian products. Roseksimbank (subsidiary of Vnesheconombank, which specializes on financial support of Russian exports) is financing these deals, IFC noted.

An-158 is able to carry up to 99 passengers; it was derived from An-148 jet having a passenger capacity of 75 persons. An-148s are manufactured in Voronezh, while the final assembly of An-158 jets is carried out in Kiev by Antonov State Enterprise. The An-148/158 Family jets are manufactured in close cooperation between Russian and Ukrainian enterprises. Up to 65% of components of each jet are produced by Russian enterprises (including the enterprises of Rostec State Corporation), that is why these jets are part of the program for financing of exports.

An-158 has a range of 2500 km and maximum flight speed of 870 km/h. The unique feature of An-158 is its unique aerodynamic configuration – “high-wing aircraft”. The high-wing position allows operating the jet from unpaved runways located in hard-to-reach regions. An-148/158 jets have been certified by the Interstate Aviation Committee in accordance with JAR-25 harmonized with European CS-25 and US FAR-25. Since the start of deliveries of indigenous aircraft to Cuba an MRO center was established there for servicing Il-96 and Tu-204 aircraft. The corresponding agreement for maintaining airworthiness of An-158 jets was signed in 2014 by IFC Technik and Aviaimport S.A. This center will also be carrying out the post-sales support of An-158 jets. The center helps increase the appeal of Russian-produced aircraft to airlines of Latin America, IFC reminded.

Russia ready to render assistance to Cuba suffering from drought — Emergencies Ministry

"The drought has turned into a disaster. It affects a total of 4 million people," Cuban Ambassador to Russia said

MOSCOW, August 31. /TASS/. The Russian Emergencies Ministry is prepared to provide humanitarian assistance to Cuba affected by drought and to send experts there in response to the relevant request from the Cuban side, Russian Emergencies Minister Vladimir Puchkov told Cuban Ambassador to Russia Emilio Losada Garcia who has asked to consider the possibility of rendering assistance to Havana.

"The drought has turned into a disaster. It affects a total of 4 million people," Garcia said.

"We are ready to dispatch Emergencies Ministry experts, attract the Russian Academy of Sciences to make forecasts and put forward our suggestions on dealing with the aftermath of the drought. Such experts work at the Antistikhiya Monitoring and Forecasting Center of the Russian Emergencies Ministry," Puchkov said.

He added that the Russian Emergencies Ministry was also ready to send humanitarian aid to Cuba. "The Emergencies Ministry is prepared to provide humanitarian assistance promptly and efficiently in response to the relevant request from the Cuban leaders," the minister said.

In general, Puchkov favorably assessed cooperation with the Cuban Interior Ministry in preventing emergencies. "A landmark event was the opening of the Cuban regional training center for firefighters and rescuers in Havana, which makes it possible to organize cooperation and training of specialists for the Caribbean countries at a qualitatively new level," the minister said.

Russian oil giant Rosneft exploring possibility of entering Cuban market

In addition, joint project of Inter RAO and Union Electrica on modernization of thermal power plant in the cities of Mariel and Santa Cruz del Norte is in the development stage

NEW YORK, September 28. /TASS/. Rosneft is exploring the possibility of entering the Cuban market, according to the documents of the Kremlin press-service for the visit of the Russian President Vladimir Putin to New York to attend the UN General Assembly session. The President is planning to hold a meeting with the President of the Council of and the Council of Ministers of Cuba Raul Castro.

The documents also note that countries are developing applied cooperation in the field of oil exploration and production. Thus, Zarubezhneft is implementing a project to increase the oil production rate and using enhanced oil recovery at Boca de Jaruco oil field.

In addition, joint project of Inter RAO and Union Electrica on modernization of thermal power plant in the cities of Mariel and Santa Cruz del Norte is in the development stage. The deliveries of the Russian power equipment to Cuba are in progress.

Russia to Build 4 Units at 2 Thermal Power Plants in Cuba

Russia might build four units at two thermal power plants in Cuba.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Russia and Cuba are planning to sign an agreement to construct four units at two thermal power plants in Cuba, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev’s decree said Monday.

"Approve… a draft agreement between the Russian Government and the Government of Cuba on the construction of power units at Maximo Gomes and Este Habana thermal power plants," the decree reads. "And after coming to terms, to sign the agreement on behalf of the Russian Government."

Russia's Inter RAO-Export and the Cuban company Union Electrica signed a memorandum of understanding on the prospective contract for the construction of four power units in Cuba with a capacity of 200 megawatts each during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Havana on July 11, 2014.

One of the units is to be constructed at Maximo Gomes in the Mariel municipality; the other three will be installed in Santa Cruz del Norte’s Este Habana.

The deal was previously estimated to cost $1.35 billion.

Both power stations, where the four generators are planned to be installed, were built by Soviet experts using domestic energy equipment.

Read more: http://sputniknews.com/latam/20151019/1028777324/cuba-construction-russia-power.html#ixzz3p32lzqo1

Russia is interested in naval cooperation with Cuba — defense minister

The outlook for military-technological cooperation between Russia and Cuba will be the theme of a separate discussion at a meeting of the bilateral commission concerned

MOSCOW, October 20. /TASS/. Russia is interested in building up naval cooperation with Cuba, Russia’s Defence Minister Sergey Shoigu said at a meeting with Cuba’s Deputy Prime Minister Ricardo Cabrisas.

Shoigu tanked Cuba for hospitality Russian ships enjoyed while visiting Havana’s port.

"We are interested in building up cooperation in the naval sphere," Shoigu said.

The outlook for military-technological cooperation between Russia and Cuba will be the theme of a separate discussion at a meeting of the bilateral commission concerned.

"Of course, our military-technological cooperation is a special subject. It’s been developing fast and in a very positive fashion. We will be discussing all that at a meeting of the commission for military-technical cooperation," Shoigu said.

He recalled that Russia had accumulated vast experience of training Cuban military personnel.

"This aspect of partnership has very good prospects. We will be prepared to furnish assistance in training Cuban military further on," Shoigu said.

"Our contacts at the Defense Ministry are becoming a good tradition," he concluded.