MOSCOW, May 18 (RIA Novosti) - Russia must strengthen its competitive positions on the global commercial space launch market by expanding its launch facilities and developing new types of carrier rockets, the prime minister said on Monday.

"We should not simply maintain but significantly strengthen our competitive edge in the space sector, not least by developing the Plesetsk and Vostochny space centers, and producing advanced rockets and a new-generation spaceship," Vladimir Putin said.

He said this would enable Russia to provide high-quality, low-cost launch services on the international market.

"I believe that in the foreseeable future we'll have the ability to increase Russia's share of the international launch market by another 8-10%," Putin said.

The increase would give Russia around 50% of the global commercial space launch market.