6 Oct 2011 16:11

Growth in defense spending due to arms modernization - Putin

MOSCOW. Oct 6 (Interfax) - Growth in defense spending in Russia is due to the replacement of the aging weapon systems, not over the country's militarization, said Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.

"Our spending on military needs will grow significantly. But this is not connected with the country's militarization. It is because our basic weapon systems are aging and being removed from service. They must be replaced," Putin said at the Russia Calling investment forum on Thursday.

"We will do this. This money has been allocated for a period ending in 2020. It is an open figure - 20 trillion rubles," the prime minister said.

Putin said he would discuss the modernization of the military-industrial complex on Friday.

"To make modern weapons, we need modern know-how, which requires another 3 trillion rubles. We will discuss tomorrow what we will do and how, and what the timeframe will be like," Putin said.