Russian Defense Ministry signs $22.5bn worth of contracts for 2013 June 24, 2013 - 15:30 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Russian Defense Ministry has signed 737 billion rubles (about $22.5 billion) worth of contracts as part of its arms procurement program for 2013, a senior ministry official said on Monday, June 24, according to RIA Novosti. The signed deals account for 82.4 percent of this year’s arms procurement quota, Deputy Defense Minister Yury Borisov said. The total defense spend this year exceeds 1 trillion rubles, up 40 percent on 2012, including credits and subsidies to defense firms, he said. The Russian government has allocated 20 trillion rubles ($641 billion) for the comprehensive rearmament of Russia's armed forces up to 2020. Russia's 2011-2020 arms procurement program stipulates the upgrade of up to 11 percent of the forces' military equipment annually and will boost the share of modern weaponry in the armed forces' inventory to 70 percent by 2020. The Russian defense industry has been criticized recently for delays in the signing and fulfillment of military contracts, as well as for the inefficient use of state funds in the production of new weaponry. The Finance Ministry has proposed extending the duration of the arms procurement program in “problem areas,” such as the delivery of combat ships and strategic submarines, beyond 2020.   Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads.   Partner news |  Latest news Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia  Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28.Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia.Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports.Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. |
