Russian arms program seeks new designs

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SOCHI, Russia, July 3 (UPI) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin asked arms manufacturers Tuesday to design smaller firearms, body armor and communications equipment.

"We need new solutions for equipping our soldiers, for small arms, individual communications and body armor," he said. "I call on you to start design and research work in these fields."

Putin was speaking to a meeting in Sochi on the State Armaments Program, Infantry and Airborne Forces. He said research and development for ground forces accounted for 10 percent of the equipment budget, RIA Novosti reported.

"And for airborne forces it's less than 5 percent. At the same time, over 75 percent of the total finance goes to five research projects," he continued. "This means that there are many important areas of armament development and military equipment which go without vital funding."

He said by 2020, 10 Iskander-M tactical missile launchers, nine S-300V4 air defense missile systems, more than 2,300 tanks, some 2,000 self-propelled artillery systems and more than 30,000 vehicles must enter service with the army.

"Beyond that, the deployment of new control and communication systems, advanced reconnaissance systems and military equipment is planned," Putin said.

The Russian government plans to spend $79.8 billion by 2020 to arm the Airborne Forces and the army. The total value of the rearmament program will reach $614 billion, Putin said.