SOCHI. July 3 (Interfax) - President Vladimir Putin said the work to develop firearms, individual protection gear, communications and equipment for the troops needs to be accelerated.
"We are in need of new solutions related to equipment for servicemen, firearms and individual protection and communication. Please step up research and development projects in this area," Putin told a meeting on the implementation of the State Armaments Program's part dealing with rearming the land and airborne troops.
The funding for research and development projects for land forces accounts for less than 10% of the value of serial orders and the repair, and less than 5% for the airborne forces, he said.
Five research and development projects account for more than 75% of the total funding. It is a vivid misbalance. Many of the important aspects of armament development remain without due funding, Putin said.