Russia To Invest $55.6B To Boost Aerospace Defense Forces

Russia is planning to invest 2 trillion rubles (US $55.6 billion) to acquire new weapons and upgrade the existing armament of its Aerospace Defense Forces (VKO), Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov said.

The new and overhauled air and space defense systems are expected to be operational by 2025, reported local news agency ITAR-TASS.

“The main purpose [of the program] is to provide … systems capable of combating all existing and potential means of aerospace threats,” Borisov said. The announcement was made during the minister’s visit at local defense manufacturer Almaz-Antey.

The priorities pursued by Russia’s military policy include acquiring an effective range of weapons and military equipment, and developing advanced weapons with an open and modular design, Borisov said. This is to be achieved despite the challenges posed by the ongoing economic crisis, according to the minister.

The acquisitions will be part of the country’s plan to spend $650 billion on new arms and military equipment by 2020.

Russia’s Aerospace Defense Forces were set up in 2011 with the aim of ensuring air and space defense of Russian territory. [via]