MOSCOW. Feb 16 (Interfax-AVN) - The Russian defense sector will unite 40 large research and production companies by 2020, which will make it more competitive, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said at parliamentary hearings at the Federation Council on Thursday.
"The defense sector will become more competitive by 2020: it will unite about 40 large research and production companies capable of development, efficient asset management and active positioning on Russian and international markets," he said.
The defense sector already surpasses the civilian sector by economic growth rates, Rogozin said. "Industrial output of the defense sector grew by nearly 1.3 times and labor productivity went up by almost 1.6 times in 2009-2011," he said.
The majority of defense plants have a substantial development potential, he said.
The Federation Council hearing is devoted to the current condition and problems in modernization of the Russian defense sector.