Russia will continue to supply the United States with RD-180 rocket engines under existing contracts despite calls from Washington for greater reliance on domestic procurement, Russian Ambassador to the United States Sergey Kislyak said in an interview with Sputnik.

The Russian envoy confirmed that existing contracts are being executed, adding that "everyone understands in the US space industry that they do not have the engines that we supply to them."

"We will continue [the deliveries]. They are now saying that they need to ensure flights on American [rocket engines], but as my good friend said, 'the wind in their sails,' let them try to do so," Kislyak said.

Earlier in June, Senate Armed Services Chairman John McCain attempted to cut off any further purchase of the Russian engines, proposing US companies compete to provide the United States with a reliable, domestic space launch platform.

The two largest US defense contractors, Boeing and Lockheed Martin, use the RD-180 engine in their joint venture, the United Launch Alliance (ULA).

Source: Sputnik News