Russia to allocate $35.3 billion for arms production in 2009-11

MOSCOW, December 22 (RIA Novosti) - State capital investments into serial production of armaments and military hardware in 2009-2011 will total about $35.3 billion, a first deputy chairman of Russia's military-industrial commission said Monday.

"In practice, over three years these expenditures will total about 1 trillion rubles," Vladislav Putilin said.

Putilin also said the government had approved the state defense order for 2009-11 worth a total of 4 trillion rubles ($141 billion).

Russia plans to put into service more than 400 new weapons, materiel and other pieces of military equipment, the official added.

In the period of 2009-2011, Russian armed forces will receive 70 strategic missiles, 30 Iskander missiles and a number of carrier rockets and spacecraft.

In addition, "Russia will buy 38 military aircraft, six drones, over 60 helicopters, 14 ships, almost 300 tanks and over 2,000 vehicles," Putilin said.