Russia develops new defence programme

MOSCOW: Russia has developed a new unified national defence programme against high-precision weapons, a first deputy prime minister has said.

"This programme envisions the creation of a unified, combined-arms defence network to protect vital objects of military, political and economic infrastructure from strikes delivered with high-precision weapons," Sergei Ivanov told a meeting of the military-industrial commission Tuesday.
 
However, he said the implementation of the programme would require thorough modernisation of the existing arsenal of air and missile defence systems in conjunction with a complete overhaul of command-and-control structures.

As a first step, Russia will strengthen air defences around Moscow and in the central part of European Russia, by deploying a second regiment equipped with new S-400 air defence systems, to protect the air space of the capital and industrial zones.

Russia's Air Force is also planning to transform the 16th Air Army into an Air Force and Air Defence army in 2009.

The 16th Air Army is the most important unit of the Special Purpose Command. Initially formed during the Second World War as a part of the Soviet Air Force, it is now the tactical air force component of the Moscow Military District, headquartered at Kubinka airbase near Moscow.

Ivanov said Russia allocated 700 billion rubles ($30 billion) for defence orders in 2007.