The Ukrainian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has plans to launch the Zaporizhia submarine into service in the Ukrainian Navy in June this year, Defence Minister Mykhailo Yezhel has said.

“Launching the Zaporizhia submarine into service in the Ukrainian Navy is presently on the agenda. This significant event should take place after running tests, which will begin soon and continue until 31 May 2011,” he added.

The submarine will be deployed for patrolling the Black Sea, and rescue and anti-terrorism operations.

The Defence Ministry has been postponing the date of completion of the repair of the submarine due to lack of funds, according to the Ukrainian News Agency.

The 91m-long diesel-electric submarine has a surface speed of 16.4kt and a submerged speed of 16kt, and was built in 1972 under the Nato classification.