MOSCOW. Oct 7 (Interfax-AVN) - The Raspletin Almaz research and production association does not rule out that foreign companies will take part in the development of a comprehensive fifth-generation air defense system.
"It if happens, it will only do good for Russia and its security, because in this case there will be at least some money to complete design and test projects and launch mass production of future combat assets as soon as possible. The assets will primarily be provided to the national Air Force to contribute to the country's defense capabilities," Anatoly Kornukov, former commander of the Air Force and current adviser to the Almaz director general on military-technical policy matters, told Interfax-Military News Agency on Monday.
Asked to comment on media reports that Russia will soon sign a USD4bn worth contract with the United Arab Emirates, Kornukov said it was too early to discuss the term of the contract's signing and its details.
"These are preliminary accords on intentions, and there is still a long way to go before signing the contract. Specialists will analyze all that. Nevertheless, there are prerequisites for concluding such a contract, and this is the right way. It is necessary to restore Russia's defense industry, for some production facilities are lost for good. In particular, there is nobody to make explosives, in fact, there is no element base. There are no plants that can implement an order for the production of elements, which is nonsense," Kornukov said.
At the same time, the signing of such a contract would speed up the commissioning of promising armament systems by the Russian Air Force, he noted.
"Such cooperation should be valued and developed. If the nation cannot ensure development and commissioning of armament on its own, we should take other opportunities, including a high export potential of Russian arms," Kornukov concluded.