Russia Sharply Increases Defense Research SpendingRussia decided Monday to sharply increase spending this year on new armament research and development programs as part of the structural reform of the state defense sector.Russian Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Alexander Dondukov made the announcement after a Monday meeting of the government commission on military-industrial issues. According to Dondukov, research and development expenditure will increase by 43 percent in 2001, while arms acquisition will be reduced by 13 percent. "This will satisfy both military-industrial agencies and the Defense Ministry", he said. The commission, head by Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov, also discussed the government repayment of previous debts to defense enterprises. Noting that the debts now standing at about 8 billion rubles, Dondukov said the government had "almost found a solution" to this problem. |
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