Medvedev Sets April 15 Deadline for Defense Contracts

GORKI (Moscow region), February 3 (RIA Novosti)

All tenders on state defense contracts are to be completed by April 15, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said on Friday.

He also ordered Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin, who oversees the defense industry, to personally supervise the placement of defense orders and not allow any delays.

The placement of defense contracts last year “was far from perfect, to put it mildly,” Medvedev said.

“I hope this year the situation will be better.”

It is essential to ensure the adequate quality of products and “prevent conflicts between the Defense Ministry and arms makers,” he said.

Medvedev said it was untenable when manufacturers tell the Defense Ministry: “Buy what we have,” while the ministry looks to “NATO standards.”