WORLD
Russia to Step Up Military Expansion
2007-08-22 04:31am
Russian President Vladimir Putin has vowed to expand Russia's military production and placed special emphasis on the production of military and civilian aircraft.
Speaking at the opening of the largest air show in post-Soviet Russia, Putin said aircraft manufacture would be made a national priority, years after the former communist superpower lost its prestige when the Soviet Union dissolved.
Putin's vow comes less than a week after he ordered renewed long-range strategic bomber patrols to resume. The aircraft are capable of carrying air-launched nuclear weapons and will fly well within range of striking the United States.
Patrols over the Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic began last week for the first time since 1992, the London Guardian reported.
Aides to Putin hinted Monday that Russia could soon resume production of Tu-160 and Tu-95 bomber aircraft. The would be used as a "means of strategic deterrence," a presidential aide, Alexander Burutin, told Interfax.
"Russia has a very important goal which is to retain leadership in the production of military equipment," he said.
The renewed push to reinvigorate the military comes amid deteriorating relations with the U.S. and the West in general.
Putin opposes U.S. expansion of its ballistic missile shield into former Soviet satellite states like Poland and the Czech Republic. The U.S. has said the missile shield is designed to counter threats from rogue states like Iran and North Korea and is not aimed at thwarting Russia.
(c) 2007 Newsroom.