Russian Defense Minister Yuri Borisov confirmed that Russia is planning to invest 2 trillion rubles (US $55.6 billion) for new weapons and armaments as part of an upgrade of its Aerospace Defense Forces (VKO), which was set up in 2011.
According to Defense News, Russian news agency ITAR-TASS reported that the new air and space defense system would be operational by 2025.
“The main purpose [of the program] is to provide … systems capable of combating all existing and potential means of aerospace threats,” said Borisov, who made the announcement during a visit at local defense manufacturer Almaz-Antey.
As Defense News notes, Russia wants to develop advanced weapons with a modular design. The potential acquisitions are part of a plan to spend $650 billion on new weapons and equipment by 2020.
