URGENT: Russian air defense and Air Force expenditure to double in 2006

VALAAM (Karelia), August 19 (RIA Novosti) - Expenditure on air defense and the Air Force in 2006 will double relative to this year, Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said Friday after arriving at Valaam island in northwest Russia.

"In the 2006 budget, expenditure on the Air Force and air defense will double, since the government is giving priority to this area of the military," Ivanov said.