How will Russia modernize its weaponry invasions? By purchasing finished weapons from Israel, France and the U.S? The President of Russia has just banned the already agreed upon promise to sell S-300 air defense missiles to Iran. So, where is Russia going to get all the extra cash it needs to conduct expensive R&D in new weapons?

And the Russian Defense industry must cave into Western interests and sell out regional trade partners by breaking contracts. Real good work.... That brings a lot of trust towards the defense industry. Enjoy the fees you will now need to pay for breaking contracts and loss of business for back stabbing. All to please a dying empire.

Most projects and products where the RF has the advantage over others (space tech, GLONASS, S-300, 400, 500) were developed during Soviet times.) The majority of the scientists were fired when Yeltsin was running the country.The technicians running the industry are getting older and there do not appear to be systems in place to train young technicians. In short this industry was underfunded and undersupported. One cannot talk about this industry as if it were a regular industry, So, if Mr Medvedev wants to have a defense industry he should make provisions for its continuous upkeep (provisions for appropriate personnel and fund their projects.

The truth is that Russia cannot manufacture every weapons. It has to specialize in its best products, as in any other industry. What it does best, like some aircraft, missiles, tanks and guns, will survive. That is where the Russian Government, and private companies, have to invest in R&D. That´s where exports are coming and will come from. I am sure Russia will continue keeping, and even increasing, its share in the World market of several kind of weapons while some others will be left apart...and Russia will import them from other nations. Manfucaturing hundreds of unrealiable products that are not accurate enough for future Wars doesn´t make sense because those weapons would be destroyed by other more accurate in a matter of hours. But using the budget to manufacture those weapons in which Russia has an advantage or at least a level similar to other nations, that is the right thing to do. Keeping the competitive advantage in those areas is the right choice, while other areas will be left aside (and weapons imported, even if keeping some strategical facilities for the case it were necessary if there is an embargo by NATO and Japan) For some weapons Russia already has signed contracts with Russia or China to share R&D costs)

Medvedev is the new Yeltsin and will destroy Russia. Impeach this coon before it is too late.e.

To Hassan Ali, There are great similarities between the young Medvedev and the old Yeltsin but there is also Putin in this case. So, Medvedev cannot and does not make decisions with the oligarchs as Yeltsin did. However, I think Medvedev is light on concrete ideas and long on abstract slogans.

Enrique I do agree Russia cannot manufacture all the weapons it needs. However, massive investment in R&D has other incentives: can engender a new class scientists while creating massive peacetime economic spin-offs. Only, I do think that Mr. Medvedev understands how the United States keeps its military edge has something to do increasing funding to R&D in both basic research and security oriented research programs.

Buying the stripped down hulk of a Mistral or a few hundreds of Iveco items from WEurope is no big deal. In this sense, Enrique, you are right. But the defense industry works based on the defense policy of the state. Russia so far has followed a policy of simply defending its sovereignty. No projection of power to encircle others (function of the 7th fleet) or to go on multiyear costly campaigns (Iraq, Afghanistan etc). The US is going bankrupt following these policies. (See the "full spectrum dominance dogma" of the current posture). On Sept/6 Novosti on its "What the Russian Papers Say" reported that a committee chaired by Igor Yurgens was presenting a position paper at the Yaroslav get togetrher advocating that Russia ought to become a full member of NATO. (RBC daily). Gen Ivashov in the same report claimed that the current policy of weapons procurement means that in a few years the RF will be importing 30% of its weapons. We are talking about huge expenses which cannot be covered by weapons exports. This policy, of following the interminable wars of the US and Israel will pauperize Russia and will financially destroy it. PS Ivashov is the head of the Academy of Sciences Geostrategy section. and an ex Chief of Staff

correction: "signed contracts with India and China..."

Aristo, Imports of weapons should never surpass Exports. About NATO, Sweden, Finland, Austria and Ireland are not member states even if they are part of the European Union (EU) so the Russian Federation doesn´t have the obligation to join NATO, and in fact, I don´t think it will happen because the most important challenge of NATO in the future is CHINA, Russia´s neighbor and increasingly partner, so the Russian Federation will adopt a policy similar to Sweden or Finland: very close to the West (EU and NATO) with an open cooperation in a number of fields, but without integration in NATO. But even if Russia integrates in NATO that wouldn´t be a bad deal taking into account that most Russian and American nuclear missiles head against each other. So being both part of NATO, a new "Start Treaty" will be necessary to reduce the number of nuclear weapons. At the same time, as 80% of Russia´s population lives next to NATO, being part of NATO would mean protecting the population in Western Russia.....The main problem comes from China. Perhaps Anglo-Americans would try to use Russia and millions of Russian lives to fight against China the same way as they used the USSR to fight against Germany in WWII, destroying each other. Of course, with thousands of nuclear weapons there will not be War between China and Russia, but if Russian nuclear force is left aside, then a Chinese invasion would be possible (even if never has taken place in History) So given the fact that China will become the next challenger of America in the future and it will be also the main trade partner of Russia, for the Russian Federation doesn´t make sense joining NATO´s military structure. Cooperation when it fits to Russian interests (like Central Asia) and Logistics would be enough.

this is a step in the right direction....With the introduction of the oversight committee, some amendments concerning the exchange of intellectual property tethered to prevent any further leeks. Nice influx of cash...I can see Russia leading the world in military innovations within next ten or so years. You've got to remember, Russia is not short on talent OR the manufacturing capabilities. In fact, they have a perfect infrastructure in place to make them incredibly competitive in this field... All huge steps in the right direction...I like the recent developments.

Until Russia has a system of laws and rights that protect private and intellectual property of its people there will never be the organic level of individual striving that leads to the cumulative levels of innovation found in the west. How much innovation can be expected when all know the state will ultimately steal what it wants and throw all who disagree in jail? America's DARPA is just a filter held under the waterfall to see what it can catch. Empowering the Russian people, not its government, is the only way to create the waterfall. A strong military is the byproduct of a strong private economy, not the reverse. Russia already tried the military first thing once.