RUSSIAN AIR FORCE WOES.

The Russian air force did not get a single new aircraft in 1996, according to an unnamed source at air force headquarters. In addition, it could not properly maintain the planes it already has. Average availability fell to 53 percent and some 3,000 planes and helicopters could not be flown. The source said that funds provided for maintenance covered less then 10 percent of requirements. (Interfax, December 3)

St. Petersburg Shipyard to Build New Subs.