VLADIVOSTOK, August 26 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's state defense order would total 237 billion rubles ($8.7 bln) in 2006, increasing to 302 billion rubles ($11 bln) in 2007, the defense minister said Saturday.
"Under the national arms development strategy, the state defense order in 2006 will be at approximately 237 billion rubles, while by 2007, it is planned to achieve a volume of 302 billion rubles," said Sergei Ivanov, who is also a deputy prime minister.
Ivanov said previously that defense industry enterprises should not rely solely on increasing state orders and must rapidly develop production of dual-purpose and civilian goods to stay competitive.
