Perhaps lobbying for more money for armaments pays off . . . at least a little.
At Farnborough today, First Deputy Defense Minister Popovkin told journalists financing for GPV 2011-2020 will be almost doubled.
Popovkin said:
“We’re talking about increasing the amount.”
“With the Finance Ministry we’re now deciding the issue of the amount and the schedule of year-by-year financing taking into account of the state’s economic possibilities.”
“Now we’re talking about 20 trillion [rubles].”
Recall early June’s comments to the effect that the proposed 13 trillion would cover only one-third of the Defense Ministry’s needs.
Popovkin also said [again] that a state program for developing the OPK needs to be adopted at the same time as the new GPV. He said:
“Both documents will be confirmed by the President this year.”
But he didn’t offer anything on the amount of financing for an OPK development program, but said ‘negotiations’ with the Finance Ministry are being conducted.
On the fifth generation fighter, Popovkin said the Defense Ministry plans to receive its first experimental model in 2013. He also said:
“By 2015 the Defense Ministry plans to buy ten aircraft from the first assembly run which will go to operational forces. And from 2016 we plan to implement a series purchase of fifth generation fighters.”
Air Forces CINC General-Colonel Zelin recently told the press more than 60 will be bought starting in 2015-2016.
More to follow . . .
Russian Defense Policy 