Zimbabwe is this week expected to seal a $500-million deal with Russia for the supply of five Ilyushin and Tupolev commercial airplanes as President Robert Mugabe’s government steps up efforts to strengthen economic ties with East European and Asian countries, sources told independent news service ZimOnline.
A 10-member delegation led by Zimbabwe transport permanent secretary George Mlilo left Harare for Russia last Sunday where they will meet officials of the Voronezh Aircraft Construction Company (Vaco) to conclude the deal.
The aircraft supply deal was first brokered by Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor Gideon Gono and Zimbabwe Transport Minister Chris Mushowe during a visit to Russia about two months ago.
Air Zimbabwe board chairperson Mike Bimha said the airline is talking to ”a Russian supplier” as part of a wider search for a possible supplier of new aircraft.
”Yes, we do need new equipment for our operations. For aircrafts, we are exploring various possible suppliers and there has been contact with a Russian supplier,” said Bimha, refusing to be drawn to discuss in detail the deal with Vaco.
ZimOnline‘s sources, however, said the deal is as good as sealed, adding that delivery of the Russian planes is expected to start from 2008.
But the sources said pilots and engineers are unhappy with the purchasing of planes from Russia because of what they say is a poor record of accidents of airplanes from the East European country.
”Pilots have vowed to protest against the move by management. We need to be involved [in deciding what planes should be bought] because we are the ones who will be flying those planes,” said one source, who declined to be named.
Mugabe, who has ruled Zimbabwe since independence from Britain 26 years ago, has shifted his foreign policy to favour the East over the past six years in response to what he views as sabotage by Western countries angered by his government’s land reforms.
As part of the ”Look East” policy, the Zimbabwe government has entered into at least 15 deals worth billions of dollars with the Chinese, Iranians and other Asians, mostly on fuel, mining, electricity and communication.
The Southern African country last year acquired two MA60 planes from China and received a third one for free earlier this year. The planes are now being used to fly domestic and regional routes.
The main opposition Movement for Democratic Change, however, accuses Mugabe of mortgaging the country to especially the Chinese under his ”Look East” policy. He denies the charge. — ZimOnline