Russia plans new defense strategy

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MOSCOW, April 24 (UPI) -- Russia will finalize a new and comprehensive defense policy by the end of the year, its deputy prime minister announced Tuesday.

"The work on Russia's security concept will begin in May," Dmitry Rogozin said, later stating that "it will be a document on strategic planning for 30-40 years ahead," the Russian news agency RIA Novosti reported Tuesday.

The announcement comes at a time when the nation contends with the European missile shield, alleged NATO expansion in Europe, terrorism and international drug-trafficking, the news agency said, adding that the Russian government has apportioned 22 trillion rubles, or $730 billion, on government arms acquisition to the year 2020.

The new vision of Russian defense strategy will take into account "the analysis of potential threats, internal and external, and the preparation of a military-technical response to locate and neutralize those threats," Rogozin said.