Germany supports Russia in the construction of chemical weapons destruction facilities

Chemical weapons destruction plant in Gorny (AA)

Gorny, Kambarka and Pochep plants

The first chemical weapons destruction plant was built with German support in Gorny (Saratov region) as early as 2002. The 1,250 tonnes of chemical weapons stored there were destroyed by the end of 2005.

The second Russian chemical weapons destruction facility was opened in Kambarka (Republic of Udmurtia) on 1 March 2006. Germany made available almost 150 million euro towards the construction of the plant, an additional 4 million euro coming from the European Union. German firms played a key role in this project, performing engineering work and supplying high-tech components. The destruction of the 6,350 tonnes of chemical agents is due to be completed in 2009.

Laying the foundation stone in Pochep (AA)

Together with Russian project partners, representatives of the Federal Government and the German Bundestag on 10 June 2008 laid the foundation stone for a new Russian chemical weapons destruction plant in Pochep (Bryansk region). The German contractor's technical equipment was inspected and approved on 9 September 2008, and the plant is due to begin operations in early 2010.

The Federal Foreign Office is providing financing of up to 140 million euro for the construction of a building with technical equipment to incinerate reaction masses as well as residuals from the destruction of chemical weapons. In addition, the empty shells will be made unusable. Pochep is home to the largest of the seven stockpiles for chemical agents in terms of amount in the Russian Federation. There are some 7,500 tonnes of the nerve gases Vx, sarin and soman, most of which is contained in more than 67,000 shells. The work will be carried out by a German contractor.

With around 40,000 tonnes of declared chemical agents, the Russian Federation's stockpiles are the world's largest.

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G8 initiative against weapons of mass destruction

Germany's support for the construction of these plants forms part of the G8's Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction. Under this initiative the G8 heads of state and government and the EU representatives have pledged to support projects aimed at reducing the risk of nuclear, chemical, biological and radiological proliferation to the tune of up to US$20 billion over a period of ten years. Germany agreed to contribute up to $1.5 billion.

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