MOSCOW. April 11 (Interfax-AVN) - Russia is setting up an interdepartmental expert council on aerospace defense, a competent source in the defense industry told Interfax-Military News Agency on Friday.
"The constituent session on setting up the interdepartmental expert council on aerospace defense took place at the Almaz research and production association late on Thursday. It involved general directors and general constructors of large defense industry enterprises, members of the Russian Academy of Sciences, former commanders of arms of service and army commanders," the source said.
According to him, the session was held behind closed doors, and information on members of the expert council is not disclosed.
A spokesman for Almaz declined to name members of the council, too, saying that it will be done at the constituent assembly that is to take place in late April.
Almaz Director General Igor Ashurbeili said elaboration of proposals to the Russian leaders concerning establishment of comprehensive national aerospace defense and establishment of the chain of command in the Russian defense industry are among the main goals of the council.
He stressed that the council will be an independent interdepartmental body aimed at contributing to the concept of the aerospace defense system. It will bring together prominent scientists and military leaders.