ZHUKOVSKY, Moscow Region. Aug 20 (Interfax-AVN) - The Defense Ministry believes that there is no need to revise the current program of defense industry restructuring, Colonel General Alexei Moskovsky, chief of armament of the Armed Forces, said on Wednesday.
"The government approved the defense industry restructuring and development program last year. I would not say that it is a panacea for all troubles and that it is optimal in all aspects, but it would hardly be correct to destroy it in just eight to nine months," Moskovsky told Interfax-Military News Agency at the MAKS 2003 international aerospace show that is underway in Zhukovsky.
Asked about prospects of creating a single national aircraft construction company, Moskovsky said, "The latest developments look like we are trying to create superstructures and super- companies as soon as possible, It is obvious that this strategy is generally correct. But we should not rush this process artificially. We need restraint in this issue."
"Some processes are very intensive today. This intensity should partially be restricted and made controllable, I mean controllable by administrative measures and through involvement of professionals. Both the defense industry and the state would profit from it," Moskovsky said.
He recalled that the valid restructuring program has a second stage that provides for creating extra-large holding companies.
"I believe that it would be correct to progress in stages, because Russia is the state where the line between lawful and unlawful, the optimal route, is very thin. We usually plunge into globalism and suffer damages," the general said.