MOSCOW. March 2 (Interfax-AVN) - The Russian government has spent more than 93 billion rubles on supporting the defense industry since the start of the world financial crisis, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said.
The United Aircraft Corporation has received 34.6 billion rubles, aircraft manufacturer MiG 30 billion rubles, defense industry corporation Oboronprom 11 billion rubles, the Engine Building Holding more than 10 billion rubles, air defenses manufacturer Almaz-Antei 5.4 billion rubles, and the Sukhoi aircraft maker 3.2 billion rubles, Putin told a conference in Moscow on defense industry issues.
In addition, 45 billion rubles has been allocated as state guarantees for borrowings by defense enterprises.
"As a result, the volume of production at enterprises in the defense industry complex has not declined as in other sectors but has increased 7%," Putin said.
The industry's main task now is to meet defense contract deadlines and stick to its price guidelines, he said.
"State funds must be spent as effectively as possible," the premier said.