Rogozin says importing weapons unacceptable for Russia

MOSCOW, January 11 (RIA Novosti)

Russia should only consider buying weapons and military equipment abroad under exceptional circumstances, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said on Wednesday.

Rogozin, recently appointed deputy prime minister responsible for the defense industry, discussed the modernization of Russia’s defense sector, arms procurement and development of nuclear and aerospace industries with other high-ranking officials on Wednesday.

Given the procurement budget and the scope of the goals for re-equipping the army and navy, "there are good reasons to close the issue of purchasing foreign weapons from now on and raise it only as an evident exception from the general rule,” Rogozin said at the meeting, according to a statement from his secretariat.

The deputy premier said the arms and military equipment projects should be run under a 20-30 year plan, which takes into account future threats and challenges, as well as Russia’s economic and demographic situation.

This year’s State Defense Order is estimated at 750 billion rubles (about $25 billion), up 50% on the previous year. Only 50% of the 2009 State Defense Order was fulfilled amid corruption allegations.